[Clinical study evaluated by Holter monitoring and by mexiletine serum levels in ventricular arrhythmias].
Three normal individuals and 17 cardiac patients with frequent VPBs were given mexiletine orally for 5 days (400-1000 mg daily in two to five doses). Each patient was evaluated by means of 24-hour Holter monitoring before treatment, on the fifth day and 4 days after the drug was discontinued. In 15 patients mexiletine serum levels were measured before and 2 hours after the first dose given in the morning. Urinary pH was also measured. VPBs were reduced by an average of 67.6%; in 11 patients the VPBs decreased by 92.3%. After treatment was discontinued, VPBs increased by 2.6%. Serum levels of the drug were generally within the therapeutic range (1.05 +/- 0.39 mcg/ml). We conclude that mexiletine is effective in reducing the number of VPBs; Holter monitoring and serum level measurements are both clinically helpful.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008801:Mexiletine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D011437:Propylamines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014556:Urine / Q000032:analysis
D011437:Propylamines; D008801:Mexiletine
Studio clinico controllato con Holter e con livelli ematici della mexiletina nelle aritmie ventricolari.