[Self-care in the prevention of sudden cardiac death]

In acute myocardial infarction a third up to half of death registered within the first month occur in the first hour of the onset of attack most frequently because of ventricular fibrillation. Immediate self administration of drugs stabilizing electrically the heart may prevent it. On the basis of experiments in dogs and in rats flunitrazepam (Rohypnol tabl. 1 mg), tramadol (Tramal caps. 50 mg) and the beta blocker metipranolol (Trimepranol tabl. 10 mg) were selected for clinical trial on high risk patients. As the chosen combinations of drugs were not yet tested in view of possible interactions, we studied their effect on circulation and cardiovascular reflexes in eight healthy volunteers. When the drugs were absorbed from the mouth mucosa, the decrease in the heart rate during deep breathing was observed already 15 minutes after the intake of drugs. The subjects started to feel relaxed; later on they had pleasant feelings and felt sleepy. There were no undesirable changes in the heart rate or blood pressure. In the three drug combination with metripranolol, the decrease in the heart rate was more marked. The tests in volunteers were without any undesirable effects and both combinations may, therefore, be given to selected high risk subjects, e g. convalescents from myocardial infarction. Randomized trial to prove the preventive effect already started.