Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 20, 2026

Contractions of Human-iPSC-derived Cardiomyocyte Syncytia Measured with a Ca-sensitive Fluorescent Dye in Temperature-controlled 384-well Plates
07:42

Contractions of Human-iPSC-derived Cardiomyocyte Syncytia Measured with a Ca-sensitive Fluorescent Dye in Temperature-controlled 384-well Plates

Published on: October 18, 2018

Verapamil in arrhythmia

D M Krikler

    British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
    |January 1, 1986
    PubMed

    Insights

    Verapamil effectively terminates supraventricular tachycardia and manages atrial fibrillation and flutter. This calcium channel blocker is a primary treatment for various tachyarrhythmias, offering significant clinical benefits.

    Area of Science:

    • Cardiology
    • Pharmacology

    Background:

    • Verapamil's antiarrhythmic properties were recognized prior to its identification as a calcium ion-antagonist.
    • Calcium channel blockers play a crucial role in managing cardiac arrhythmias.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To review the antiarrhythmic effects of verapamil.
    • To highlight verapamil's efficacy in different supraventricular and ventricular tachyarrhythmias.

    Main Methods:

    • Clinical observations and established data on verapamil's use in treating tachyarrhythmias.
    • Review of pharmacological actions and clinical outcomes.

    Main Results:

    • Intravenous verapamil effectively terminates paroxysmal reciprocating atrioventricular tachycardia.
    • Verapamil consistently slows ventricular response in atrial fibrillation and increases AV-nodal block in atrial flutter.
    • Oral verapamil is beneficial for prophylaxis of atrioventricular reentry tachycardia and modulating atrial fibrillation.

    Conclusions:

    • Verapamil is the preferred agent for terminating paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.
    • It demonstrates significant utility in managing atrial fibrillation and flutter, with specific applications in ventricular tachycardia.
    • Verapamil's role as a calcium ion-antagonist underpins its broad antiarrhythmic actions.

    More Related Videos

    Dual-Dye Optical Mapping of Hearts from RyR2R2474S Knock-In Mice of Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia09:36

    Dual-Dye Optical Mapping of Hearts from RyR2R2474S Knock-In Mice of Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia

    Published on: December 22, 2023

    Real-Time Cardiac Mapping with a Noninvasive Imageless Electrocardiographic Imaging System10:17

    Real-Time Cardiac Mapping with a Noninvasive Imageless Electrocardiographic Imaging System

    Published on: April 11, 2025

    Related Concept Videos

    Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class I Agents as Sodium Channel Blockers01:22

    Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class I Agents as Sodium Channel Blockers

    Class I antiarrhythmic drugs are used to treat various types of arrhythmias or irregular heart rhythms. These drugs block the sodium (Na+) channels in the cardiac cells, thereby affecting the movement of electrical impulses across the heart. Class I antiarrhythmic drugs are divided into three subgroups: Class IA, Class IB, and Class IC, each with distinct mechanisms of action and effects on the heart.
    Class 1A Antiarrhythmic Drugs: These drugs work by moderately blocking sodium channels,...
    Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class III Agents as Potassium Channel Blockers01:12

    Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class III Agents as Potassium Channel Blockers

    Class III antiarrhythmic drugs are a group of medications that can prolong action potentials in the heart. They achieve this by blocking potassium channels or enhancing inward currents from sodium channels. However, these drugs have a unique property of "reverse use-dependence," which is most pronounced at slower heart rates and can lead to torsades de pointes—a specific type of arrhythmia. However, it is essential to note that excessive QT interval prolongation—a measure of the heart's...
    Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class IV Agents as Calcium Channel Blockers01:20

    Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class IV Agents as Calcium Channel Blockers

    Class IV antiarrhythmic drugs, such as verapamil and diltiazem, block calcium channels. They primarily affect the heart, slowing the conduction in calcium-dependent tissues like the SA and AV nodes. These drugs manage reentrant supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and reduce ventricular rate in atrial flutter/fibrillation.
    Verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, inhibits calcium movement across myocardial cell membranes and vascular smooth muscle. This results in the dilation of coronary and...
    Disturbances in Heart Rhythm01:29

    Disturbances in Heart Rhythm

    Arrhythmia or dysrhythmia refers to an abnormal heart rhythm caused by a defect in the heart's conduction system. It can cause the heart to beat irregularly, too quickly, or too slowly, leading to symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and fainting. Factors such as stress, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, certain drugs, congenital defects, diseases, and electrolyte abnormalities can trigger arrhythmias.
    Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow heart...
    Dysrhythmias IV: Characteristics of Bradyarrhythmias01:18

    Dysrhythmias IV: Characteristics of Bradyarrhythmias

    Bradyarrhythmias are cardiac rhythm disorders characterized by a slower-than-normal heart rate, typically defined as fewer than 60 beats per minute. Some of which are discussed here:Sinus BradycardiaSinus bradycardia presents a heart rate lower than 60 beats per minute, with a regular rhythm originating from the SA node. The ECG typically shows normal P waves preceding each QRS complex, a normal PR interval (0.12 to 0.20 seconds), and a normal QRS duration (0.06 to 0.10 seconds).First-Degree AV...
    ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias01:25

    ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias

    Arrhythmia is a condition characterized by an irregular heart rhythm, with ECG changes that differ based on its origin and nature. The types of arrhythmias discussed below include atrial, junctional, and ventricular arrhythmias.Atrial ArrhythmiasPremature Atrial Complexes (PACs): PACs are early atrial beats caused by stress, caffeine, alcohol, electrolyte imbalances, hypoxia, hyperthyroidism, or certain medications (e.g., bronchodilators and decongestants). The ECG shows early P waves with an...