Aprindine therapy for refractory ventricular tachycardia.
Aprindine hydrochloride has been extensively used in Europe for the management of ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias. Success has been achieved even in those cases that have proven refractory to standard antiarrhythmic agents. In this report, we describe our experience with aprindine therapy in seven patients with ventricular tachycardia in whom standard antiarrhythmic agents had proven either ineffective or had caused intolerable side effects. Aprindine was effective in five cases, and it failed in two. Neurologic side effects, although common, were easily controlled with adjustment of the dose. Agranulocytosis, a rare but serious side effect, was encountered in one of our patients. Relevant literature on aprindine is reviewed.
D000380:Agranulocytosis / Q000139:chemically induced; D001073:Aprindine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007192:Indenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000188:drug therapy*
D007192:Indenes; D001073:Aprindine