Verapamil for control of ventricular rate in paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation or flutter: a double-blind randomized cross-over study.
The effectiveness of verapamil in controlling ventricular rate was evaluated in 20 patients with atrial fibrillation or flutter with a rapid ventricular response (Group 1) and 30 patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (Group 2). In Group 1 low-dose verapamil (0.075 mg/kg body weight) decreased the mean ventricular rate from 146 to 114 beats/min (p < 0.01) compared to a decrease of 145 to 132 beats/min (p < 0.01) after placebo. In Group 2, 14 of 29 patients converted to sinus rhythm after low-dose verapamil, nine of 15 after high-dose verapamil (0.15 mg/kg body weight), and one of 24 after placebo (p < 0.01). We conclude that verapamil results in a clinically significant slowing of the ventricular response in atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter and is superior to placebo for conversion of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia to sinus rhythm.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001282:Atrial Flutter / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D011897:Random Allocation; D013614:Tachycardia, Paroxysmal / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014700:Verapamil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D010919:Placebos; D014700:Verapamil