[Anti-arrhythmic action of preparations of the dihydropyridine series]

The derivatives of the dihydropyridine series, sodium salt of 2,6-dimethyl-3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydronicotinic acid (drug I) and disodium salt of 2,6-dimethyl-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,6-bis-carbonyloxyacetic acid (drug II), reduce or completely prevent (depending on the dose) arrhythmias of different types (disturbances of atrioventricular conduction, extrasystoles, heart fibrillation) induced by vasopressin, calcium chloride and strophantine. Study of the lipid composition and activity of lipid-dependent enzymes of sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes has demonstrated that the antiarrhythmic effect of the drugs under study is linked with their antioxidant action favouring the preservation of enzymes involved in Ca2+ transport.