[Medical treatment of extrasystole and tachycardia (author's transl)]

The more recent antiarrhythmic drugs sometimes with more complex action extend the therapeutic possibilities. In addition, numerous other substances are in clinical trial. An ideal antiarrhythmic agent with a reliable action, persistent effective levels, easily absorbable and with few side effects is not found among them. The indication for therapy in ventricular extrasystole is made on the grounds of an ominous ECG criteria and a presumed clinical threat. Controversial results of lidocaine therapy of acute mayocardial infarction are possibly due to pharmacokinetic factors. For "inhomogeneous repolarization" with increased tendency to ventricular fibrillation inducing drugs should be avoided. Malignant cardiac rhythm irregularities possible leading to sudden death require systemic therapeutical testing. In this case, combinations of antiarrhythmic drugs have the highest effectiveness.