[Electrophysiological effects of intravenous sotalol. Relation with plasma levels]

The object of this study was to confirm the electrophysiological effects of sotalol, a betablocker which increases the duration of the action potentials of myocardial cells, and to investigate the relationship of these effects with the doses used and plasma concentrations (PC) of the drug. 13 patients (23 to 72 years) were divided into 3 groups: Group 1 (n = 5): 0.6 mg/kg; Group 2 (n = 4): 1.2 mg/kg; and Group 3 (n = 5): 1.8 mg/kg. Measurements were performed before and 35 minutes after starting a 15 minute intravenous infusion of sotalol. At all doses, sotalol decreased the heart rate (HR), increased the corrected sinus node recovery time (CSNRT), prolonged the effective refractory periods (ERPA) and functional refractory periods (FRPA) of the right atrium. Atrioventricular conduction was depressed; prolongation of AH at an imposed rate of 100/min, prolongation of the nodal refractory periods (ERPN and FRPN), and an earlier Wenckebach point. The corrected QT interval (QTc) and ventricular refractory period (ERPV) increased. The QRS complexes and HV intervals were unchanged. Increases of CSNRT, AH, ERPN, FRPN, QTc, and ERPV were observed after the first dose (Group 1). At the dose of 1.8 mg/kg (Group 3) all parameters were modified (except the QRS and HV). All patients increased their ERPV by more than 20 p. 100. The parameters which illustrated the dose-effect relationship were the HR, ERPA, FRPN, and CSNRT. The PC of sotalol measured 60 minutes after starting the infusion were 0.58 +/- 0.23 microgram/ml (Group 1), 0.78 +/- 0.32 microgram/ml (Group 2) and 1.73 +/- 0.43 microgram/ml (Group 3).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)