Suppression of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia with ranolazine: a case report
Jeffrey W Kaliebe1, David K Murdock
1CaRE Foundation, Inc, Wausau, WI 54401, USA.
Background:
Ranolazine is a new anti-anginal agent that inhibits abnormal late sodium currents, indirectly causing a decrease in diastolic cardiomyocyte calcium levels. This produces an energy-sparing effect and stabilizes cardiac membranes. Ranolazine has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of triggered activity in the experimental setting.
Methods:
This case report describes the dramatic antiarrhythmic effects of ranolazine in a patient with highly symptomatic complex ventricular ectopy, including non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT). Cardiac ischemia and left ventricular systolic dysfunction were ruled out by cardiac catheterization. After failing standard treatment, we initiated ranolazine therapy.
Results:
Ranolazine was effective in suppressing ectopic ventricular activity and completely suppressed NSVT.
Conclusions:
Further research on the anti-arrhythmic properties of ranolazine in the clinical setting is needed.
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