title: The antiarrhythmic effect of intravenous disopyramide in an open study.
abstract: The antiarrhythmic effect of intravenous disopyramide phosphate was assessed in a multicentre open study of 141 patients admitted to coronary care units. Disopyramide was administered in a bolus dose of 2 mg/kg over 10 min with an optional second bolus of 1 mg/kg and infusion of 0.4 mg/kg hour. Atrial fibrillation was terminated in 57% of 56 patients, supraventricular tachycardia in 82% of 11 patients, ventricular tachycardia in 88% of 17 patients and premature ventricular contractions were controlled in 85% of 55 patients. Atrial flutter was terminated in only 2 of 17 patients (12%). Side effects occurred in 38% of the patients, the most frequent being those relating to anticholinergic properties of the drug (15%) or systemic hypotension (13%). Occasionally worsening of the arrhythmia (4%), QRS widening (3) or apparent hypertension (2%) were noted. It was concluded that intravenous disopyramide is an effective antiarrhythmic agent in the coronary care unit setting, but that side effects require close monitoring of dosage.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003325:Coronary Care Units; D004206:Disopyramide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced; D007022:Hypotension / Q000139:chemically induced; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications; D011725:Pyridines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D011725:Pyridines; D004206:Disopyramide