Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

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

Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class I Agents as Sodium Channel Blockers

1.5K
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,...
1.5K
ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias01:25

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

63
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...
63
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class III Agents as Potassium Channel Blockers01:12

Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class III Agents as Potassium Channel Blockers

1.1K
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...
1.1K
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class II Agents as β-Adrenergic Blockers01:24

Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class II Agents as β-Adrenergic Blockers

802
Adrenergic stimulation generally impacts cardiac rate and rhythm. Specifically, stimulation of the β-adrenoceptors triggers an increase in intracellular calcium ion influx and pacemaker currents, which may cause arrhythmias. Catecholamines like adrenaline also demonstrate β2-adrenoceptor-mediated hypokalemia, impacting cardiac action potential and disrupting the normal cardiac rhythm. Class II antiarrhythmic drugs are β-adrenoceptor antagonists or β-blockers, which...
802
Dysrhythmias VI: Management of Dysrhythmias01:25

Dysrhythmias VI: Management of Dysrhythmias

21
Dysrhythmia management involves a multifaceted approach, incorporating pharmacological treatments, medical procedures, surgical interventions, lifestyle modifications, and patient education.Pharmacological ManagementAntiarrhythmic Drugs:Class I (Sodium Channel Blockers): This class includes quinidine and procainamide, which reduce the speed of impulse conduction in the heart, stabilize the cardiac membrane, and control arrhythmias. Quinidine and procainamide are Class IA agents that prolong the...
21
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class IV Agents as Calcium Channel Blockers01:20

Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class IV Agents as Calcium Channel Blockers

918
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...
918

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Implantation of a leadless pacemaker in a patient after suicidal self-extraction of a transvenous pacing system.

Kardiologia polska·2026
Same author

Artificial intelligence-based prediction of transthoracic echocardiographic image quality in ICD/CRT-D candidates: A proof-of-concept study.

Kardiologia polska·2026
Same author

Myocardial infarction due to delayed coronary obstruction after TAVI.

Kardiologia polska·2026
Same author

Retinal microcirculation as a window to coronary artery disease.

European journal of internal medicine·2026
Same author

Between cancer and the heart: Gated myocardial perfusion SPECT as a tool with moderate sensitivity and specificity in diagnostics for coronary artery disease in cardio-oncology patients.

Kardiologia polska·2026
Same author

Levels of direct oral anticoagulants in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Polish archives of internal medicine·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 7, 2025

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
28:13

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: February 26, 2013

33.5K

Flecainide in clinical practice.

Mikołaj Basza1, Cezary Maciejewski2, Wojciech Bojanowicz3

  • 1Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland. s73469@365.sum.edu.pl.

Cardiology Journal
|March 13, 2023
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Flecainide is an effective Class IC antiarrhythmic drug for treating various cardiac arrhythmias, including supraventricular and ventricular tachycardias. This review details its clinical uses, safety, and practical aspects for physicians, considering special populations like children and pregnant women.

Keywords:
atrial fibrillationcardioversionflecainidesupraventricular arrhythmiasventricular arrhythmias

More Related Videos

Non-fluoroscopic Catheter Tracking for Fluoroscopy Reduction in Interventional Electrophysiology
10:46

Non-fluoroscopic Catheter Tracking for Fluoroscopy Reduction in Interventional Electrophysiology

Published on: May 26, 2015

13.4K
The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
23:33

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: February 28, 2012

83.8K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Aug 7, 2025

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
28:13

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: February 26, 2013

33.5K
Non-fluoroscopic Catheter Tracking for Fluoroscopy Reduction in Interventional Electrophysiology
10:46

Non-fluoroscopic Catheter Tracking for Fluoroscopy Reduction in Interventional Electrophysiology

Published on: May 26, 2015

13.4K
The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
23:33

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: February 28, 2012

83.8K

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Flecainide, a Class IC antiarrhythmic, inhibits cardiac Nav1.5 sodium channels, modulating heart conduction.
  • Despite over 40 years of clinical use and a known safety profile, flecainide's distribution in Europe has been inconsistent.
  • In Poland, flecainide became available in pharmacies only recently, previously requiring import.

Approach:

  • This review synthesizes the latest scientific evidence on flecainide's clinical applications.
  • It provides a comprehensive overview of practical treatment aspects, including indications, contraindications, and monitoring.
  • Special attention is given to its use in pediatric and pregnant populations.

Key Points:

  • Flecainide is indicated for paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardias (atrial fibrillation, AVNRT, AVRT) and ventricular arrhythmias in patients without structural heart disease.
  • It is also used for certain pediatric supraventricular tachycardias and sustained fetal tachycardia.
  • Efficacy is comparable or superior to drugs like propafenone and amiodarone for specific indications.

Conclusions:

  • Flecainide offers a valuable therapeutic option for managing diverse cardiac arrhythmias.
  • Understanding its indications, contraindications, and special population considerations is crucial for safe and effective use.
  • This review serves as a guide for clinicians regarding flecainide's role in modern arrhythmia management.