Role of drug therapy for sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias.
Antiarrhythmic drug therapy, broadly defined, is the mainstay of treatment and prevention of ventricular tachycardia (VT)/ventricular fibrillation (VF), which can lead to sudden death. This article evaluates the evidence for and appropriate use of class I antiarrhythmic drugs, class III antiarrhythmic drugs, beta-blockers, nondihydropyridine calcium-channel blockers, statins, angiotensin enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, aldosterone blockers, and digoxin for antiarrhythmic benefits in patients who have a propensity for VT/VF and therefore are at risk of sudden death.
Department of Cardiac Sciences, University of Calgary Foothills Hospital, Alberta T2N 2T9, Canada. brent.mitchell@calgaryhealthregion.ca
L Brent
LB
Mitchell
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000145:classification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002227:Carbazoles / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077261:Carvedilol; D004077:Digoxin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006827:Hydantoins; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D048289:Imidazolidines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010879:Piperazines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011412:Propanolamines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000187:drug effects; D013015:Sotalol / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D002227:Carbazoles; D006827:Hydantoins; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D048289:Imidazolidines; D010879:Piperazines; D011412:Propanolamines; D000077261:Carvedilol; D004077:Digoxin; C086123:azimilide; D013015:Sotalol