Effect of intravenous flecainide on atrial vulnerability in man.
Sixteen patients were investigated by means of programmed atrial stimulation at two different driving rates: 100 and 120/min. All patients had an increased atrial vulnerability at both driving rates. After intravenous flecainide application (1 mg/kg body weight as a bolus followed by the same amount given by infusion over a period of 20 min) the increased vulnerability was abolished in 11 and 9 patients respectively. In the remaining patients the rate of induced atrial tachyarrhythmia decreased. These findings correlate with a significant prolongation of the effective refractory period of the right atrium and a significant shortening of the relative refractory period of the right atrium. It is concluded that flecainide may be effective in the treatment of atrial arrhythmias in man.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001282:Atrial Flutter / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005424:Flecainide; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010880:Piperidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D010880:Piperidines; D005424:Flecainide