Therapy with investigational antiarrhythmic drugs

The investigational antiarrhythmic agents available for use in this country are predominantly class I drugs with local anesthetic membrane effects. These drugs are often used successfully to control arrhythmias refractory to treatment with the standard antiarrhythmic drugs. Side effects often limit their use, and particular attention needs to be paid to their cardiac side effects, such as exacerbation of arrhythmia or enhanced conduction defects.