title: Effects of aprindine on electrophysiological properties of the atrial muscle in man.
abstract: The effects of aprindine on atrial vulnerability were studied in 11 patients; 9 with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), and 2 with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, aged 19 to 69 (55.9 +/- 16.5; mean +/- SD). Before and 10 min after the intravenous injection of aprindine (1.5 mg/kg), programmed extrastimulation was performed from the right atrial appendage. Atrial vulnerability was assessed by evaluating the repetitive atrial firing zone (RAFZ), conduction delay zone (CDZ), maximum conduction delay (Max. CD) and fragmented atrial activity zone (FAAZ). After the injection, the duration of the P wave and QTc interval was significantly prolonged without any change in blood pressure or heart rate. RAF was observed in 8 patients under control conditions. However, after the injection of aprindine, the RAFZ completely disappeared in 2 patients, was narrowed in 4, and became wider in 1. AF was induced in the remaining patient. The zone significantly reduced (p < 0.01) without any change in CDZ or Max. CD. While FAA was observed in 5 patients under control conditions, it completely disappeared in 2 patients, was narrowed in 1, and did not change in the remaining 7 after the injection of aprindine. In patients whose RAFZ narrowed after administration of aprindine, the wavelength, as determined from the atrial effective refractory period and conduction velocity, was augmented. These results indicate that aprindine suppresses atrial vulnerability with an augmentation of the wavelength. However aprindine exaggerated atrial vulnerability in some patients, such that atrial fibrillation was induced.
authors.affiliation: Third Department of Internal Medicine, Nagasaki University School of Medicine, Japan.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hano
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Konoe
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hirata
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kaibara
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Isomoto
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shimizu
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Centurion
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hayano
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yano
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001073:Aprindine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000187:drug effects; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000187:drug effects; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014927:Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D001073:Aprindine