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Effect of aprindine on heart rate variability indices in patients with ischemic heart disease

B Takase1, A Uehata, T Nishioka

  • 1Self Defense Force Central Hospital, Internal Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

Clinical Cardiology
|March 9, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Aprindine may improve heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD), particularly those with milder conditions. This antiarrhythmic agent does not worsen HRV, offering a potential treatment option for IHD patients with arrhythmias.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Decreased heart rate variability (HRV) is linked to adverse outcomes in ischemic heart disease (IHD).
  • Most Class I antiarrhythmic drugs reduce HRV, but aprindine shows potential to increase it.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of aprindine on HRV in patients with IHD.
  • To determine if aprindine can increase HRV in IHD patients.

Main Methods:

  • 38 IHD patients with premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) underwent 24-h ambulatory ECG monitoring.
  • A single-blind, 4-week, placebo-controlled study assessed HRV indices (SDNN, SDANN, SD, rMSSD, pNN50) and frequency analysis (total, low, high components) during placebo and aprindine (60 mg daily) phases.

Main Results:

  • Aprindine increased rMSSD, pNN50, and high-frequency spectra in patients with mild IHD (Group 1).
  • In patients with more severe IHD or no PVC reduction (Group 3), HRV indices generally decreased.
  • No significant HRV changes were observed in patients with moderate IHD (Group 2).

Conclusions:

  • Aprindine augments vagal activity in mild IHD, improving HRV.
  • Aprindine does not aggravate HRV in IHD patients and may offer salutary effects on arrhythmias without proarrhythmic concerns.
Abstract

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