Effects of flecainide on atrial and ventricular stimulation thresholds to repetitive extrasystoles and fibrillation and on "2nd Phase" ventricular arrhythmias in dogs
Heuer, H.; Gülker, H.; Thale, J.; Bender, F.
Arzneimittel-Forschung 33(12): 1651-1654
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0004-4172 PMID: 6199033 Document Number: 221134
Repetitive extrasystole and fibrillation thresholds were assessed by various methods of programmed atrial and ventricular stimulation using intracavitary bipolar electrode catheters and a microcomputer based 3-channel stimulator as previously described. "2nd Phase" ventricular arrhythmias were produced by ligation of the left descending coronary artery. 2,5-Bis-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-N-(2-piperidylmethyl)benzamide acetate (flecainide, R 818, Tambocor) caused a significant increase of the atrial and ventricular fibrillation thresholds. The antifibrillatory action was similar in atrial and ventricular tissues. "2nd Phase" ventricular arrhythmias were dose-dependently reduced or abolished completely. Similar doses were required to suppress spontaneous arrhythmic activity and to increase the fibrillation thresholds. Thus, flecainide proved to be a powerful antiarrhythmic agent with strong antifibrillatory properties in therapeutic doses. It may be a promising drug for the treatment of atrial and ventricular reentrant arrhythmias.