[Electrophysiological classification of newer antiarrhythmic drugs (author's transl)]

Newer antiarrhythmic drugs are tentatively classified on the basis of their influence on the transmembrane action potential, the fast sodium inward current and its kinetics, and the slow inward current which is primarily carried by calcium ions. Disopyramide is probably a quinidine-like antiarrhythmic drug, while the effects of aprindine, lorcainide, and tocainide resemble those of lidocaine. Mexiletine and propafenon cannot be classified definitely on the basis of the hitherto available electrophysiological data. Besides their effects on the fast inward current these substances may have additional calcium antagonistic properties.