title: Sotalol: the mechanism of its antiarrhythmic-defibrillating effect.
abstract: This minireview deals with the role of intercellular communication and synchronization in the initiation and maintenance of ventricular fibrillation. It is proposed that myocardial cell junctions might represent a therapeutic substrate for the prevention of this fatal arrhythmia. This hypothesis is supported by the results of recent experimental studies involving elucidation of the mechanism of antiarrhythmic-defibrillating effects of sotalol. Enhancement of intercellular communication and myocardial synchronization are thought to play critical role in the mechanism of action of this drug.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Tel Aviv University Medical School, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Manoach
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tribulova
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019610:Cytoprotection / Q000187:drug effects; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D009206:Myocardium / Q000166:cytology; D013015:Sotalol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D013015:Sotalol