[Clinical results with carteolol in patients with arrhythmias]

The results are summarized of 13 published investigations of the beta-blocker 5-(3-tert-butylamino-2-hydroxy-propoxy)-3, 4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinone hydrochloride (carteolol hydrochloride, Endak, Endak mite) with a total of 378 patients suffering from cardiac rhythm irregularities (tachycardias, extrasystoles (ES), arrhythmias). Carteolol is markedly effective against sinus tachycardia caused by functionally dependent cardiac arrhythmia, hyperthyroidism or other factors. Average daily doses of 2-10 mg produced convincing reductions in the heart rate (up to 23.5%) within two weeks. This was particularly the case for patients with initial rates of more than 100 beats/min. whereas the normal heart frequency was not affected by carteolol. The substance was also effective against beat rate increases caused by stress in patients with sinus tachycardia. Ventricular extrasystoles (63.4% efficacy) and supraventricular extrasystoles (80% efficacy) could be effectively improved. A double-blind trial of carteolol against propranolol in the treatment of extrasystoles indicates the superiority of carteolol after three weeks. Patients with frequency of 10-19 ES/min were, in particular, significantly more frequently improved. The frequency of side-effects was 4%; a discontinuation of therapy was requisite in 4 patients (1.1%).