Antiarrhythmic effects of verapamil given in sublingual way

In order to eliminate the first pass through the liver where the drug is deactivated, 80 mgs verapamil was given in sublingual way in a) 10 patients with supraventricular tachycardias where in 7 instances sinus rhythm was obtained after 15-30 minutes, b) in 18 patients with atrial fibrillation and in 5 with atrial flutter with rapid ventricular rate, where a significant slowing down of ventricular rate was obtained after 20 minutes. The sublingual way of verapamil administration is a simple, effective and safe procedure in the treatment of tachyarrhythmias.