Gas-liquid chromatographic method for the routine estimation of disopyramide in plasma or serum

A rapid, sensitive and specific gas-liquid chromatographic method is presented for the routine monitoring of plasma concentrations of the anti-arrhythmic compound, disopyramide. The procedure involves extraction of the drug from alkaline plasma into ether, purification of the extract and gas chromatographic analysis using OV-101 liquid phase and flame ionization detection. The results demonstrate the accuracy and reproducibility of the method. Contrary to a previous report, it has been shown that delay in separating plasma from erythrocytes does not affect the disopyramide level in plasma.