title: Antiarrhythmic effects of flecainide.
abstract: A new class I antiarrhythmic, flecainide, was investigated in 10 patients to assess short-term efficacy and safety. All patients were hospitalized for 3 days; no antiarrhythmics were given on days 1 and 3. On day 2 flecainide 1 mg/kg was given intravenously over 5 min. If the predrug arrhythmia(s) was not completely suppressed, additional boluses of 0.5 mg/kg were injected at 30- to 60-min intervals to a maximum of 5 mg/kg. Seven patients received 2 mg/kg, and 3 patients received 1 mg/kg. Before drug 5 patients had premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) (more than 4 per min); 2 patients had atrial fibrillation (AF) with PVCs; 1 patient had both PVCs and premature atrial contractions (PACs); and 2 patients had only PACs. One patient with PVCs failed to respond to flecainide; he was unresponsive to all available antiarrhythmic drugs. In the other 7 patients PVCs were suppressed for an average of 13 hr (range 6 to 24 hr), AF was not affected, and PACs were suppressed. Flecainide did not induce significant changes in P-R, QRS, or Q-T intervals. Side effects were negligible and included a tingling sensation and feeling of skin warmth for 15 min after drug in one patient.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005424:Flecainide; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010880:Piperidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D010880:Piperidines; D005424:Flecainide