Comparison of tocainide and prajmalium bitartrate for the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias.
The antiarrhythmic efficacy of tocainide, a new antiarrhythmic substance, has been compared with that of prajmalium bitartrate, a drug in clinical use for many years in the German speaking countries. The investigation was performed as a double-blind cross-over study in 20 patients with ventricular arrhythmias (VA) of various origin. The efficacy was assessed by serial Holter monitoring. Plasma levels were measured to study the dose-effect relationship. Applying to the criterion of a reduction of VA of more than 75% or an improvement according to the Lown grading 8 pts. under tocainide and 7 under prajmalium bitartrate were responders. Side effects were few and under tocainide only 2 pts. had to discontinue the therapy. From the present findings tocainide and prajmalium bitartrate have the same efficient antiarrhythmic effects in the majority of patients.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000404:Ajmaline / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011219:Prajmaline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016677:Tocainide
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000404:Ajmaline; D016677:Tocainide; D011219:Prajmaline; D008012:Lidocaine