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Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Tachycardia-Induced Cardiomyopathy As a Chronic Heart Failure Model in Swine
Published on: February 17, 2018
Chronic tocainide therapy for refractory high-grade ventricular arrhythmias
Tocainide effectively controlled refractory ventricular arrhythmias in 66% of patients. This oral antiarrhythmic showed a good safety profile, with most side effects being mild and transient.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Complex ventricular ectopic activity and ventricular tachycardia are serious arrhythmias.
- Existing antiarrhythmic drugs have limitations in efficacy and safety for refractory cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate tocainide, an oral analog of lidocaine, as a long-term antiarrhythmic agent.
- To assess the safety and efficacy of tocainide in patients with refractory symptomatic ventricular arrhythmias.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 21 patients with symptomatic complex ventricular ectopic activity.
- Patients received tocainide for 3 days to 35 months, with prior treatment failures.
Main Results:
- Tocainide was effective and safe in 14 out of 21 patients (66%).
- Lidocaine responsiveness predicted tocainide effectiveness.
- Minor CNS and GI side effects occurred but rarely precluded long-term use.
Conclusions:
- Tocainide is an effective and safe antiarrhythmic agent for refractory ventricular arrhythmias.
- Tolerable side effects and oral bioavailability support its use.
- Lidocaine responsiveness is a useful predictor of tocainide efficacy.
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