Hemodynamic effects of mexiletine and disopyramide after cardioplegic arrest

To study the hemodynamic side effects of mexiletine and disopyramide when administered before cardioplegic arrest 15 dogs underwent sham cardiac surgery with a 90-min period of aortic cross-clamping. 5 dogs served as control, 5 were given 8 mg/kg/day mexiletine and another five 11 mg/kg/day disopyramide for 1 week before surgery. On the day of surgery a continuous infusion was started. After reperfusion treated animals exceeded their preischemic blood pressure and regained their preoperative cardiac output. Compared to control animals left ventricular work was higher in the treated animals after reperfusion. The two tested type I antiarrhythmics tend to add to myocardial protection when given before cardioplegic arrest and do not exhibit negative inotropic side effects.