title: Beta-adrenergic blockade by nadolol in control of ventricular tachyarrhythmias.
abstract: The antiarrhythmic effect of nadolol, a long-acting, nonselective beta antagonist without intrinsic sympathomimetic or membrane-stabilizing properties, was evaluated in 36 patients with ventricular dysrhythmias as determined by three baseline 24-hour Holter recordings at a time when subjects were receiving placebo. Nadolol was administered once daily at a dose of 40 to 80 mg and increased at weekly intervals to a maximum daily dose of 640 mg. Thereafter the drug was stopped gradually and placebo was given again for a period of 2 weeks. Nadolol was effective in reducing premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) in 17 of 36 patients (48%), in reducing ventricular couplets in 24 of 27 patients (89%), and in reducing nonsustained runs of ventricular tachycardia in all 13 subjects. Serum nadolol levels obtained at dosages resulting in a 75% reduction in PVCs varied from 58 to 853 ng/ml. In the majority of the subjects studied, a nadolol dosage of 160 mg/day or less was effective for arrhythmia suppression.
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005117:Cardiac Complexes, Premature / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009248:Nadolol; D011412:Propanolamines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011412:Propanolamines; D009248:Nadolol