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Long-term oral antiarrhythmic therapy with aprindine: effects on cardiac function and adverse effects
Abstract:
The effects of long-term aprindine administration on cardiac function were clinically investigated in seven patients with supraventricular or ventricular arrhythmias associated with organic heart disease. Three patients had normal cardiac function and four had various degrees of cardiac dysfunction before treatment with aprindine. The drug was administered orally in doses of 25 to 75 mg daily (mean +/- SD, 54 +/- 14 mg/day). The duration of follow-up ranged from six to 23 months (mean +/- SD, 14 +/- 6 months). An antiarrhythmic effect was achieved in five cases. No worsening or newly acquired symptoms or signs of cardiac dysfunction were recognized. No significant changes in end-diastolic dimension or ejection fraction were observed echocardiographically. Results of this study suggest that aprindine, which has been reported to have a negative inotropic action, does not cause significant deterioration of cardiac function even when given as long-term antiarrhythmic therapy to patients with cardiac dysfunction.
Insights
Long-term aprindine treatment effectively managed arrhythmias in most patients with heart disease. This cardiac drug did not worsen cardiac function, even in those with pre-existing heart dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Patients with supraventricular or ventricular arrhythmias often have underlying organic heart disease.
- Assessing the long-term cardiac safety of antiarrhythmic drugs in this population is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical effects of long-term aprindine administration on cardiac function in patients with arrhythmias and organic heart disease.
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of aprindine in patients with varying degrees of cardiac dysfunction.
Main Methods:
- Clinical investigation of seven patients with arrhythmias and organic heart disease.
- Oral administration of aprindine (25-75 mg daily) for 6-23 months.
- Echocardiographic assessment of cardiac dimensions and ejection fraction; monitoring for cardiac dysfunction symptoms.
Main Results:
- An antiarrhythmic effect was observed in five out of seven patients.
- No worsening of cardiac function or new symptoms of cardiac dysfunction were noted.
- Echocardiography revealed no significant changes in end-diastolic dimension or ejection fraction.
Conclusions:
- Long-term aprindine therapy appears safe for cardiac function in patients with arrhythmias and organic heart disease.
- Aprindine did not cause significant cardiac deterioration, even in patients with pre-existing cardiac dysfunction.
- The drug demonstrates potential as a long-term antiarrhythmic treatment option in this patient group.