Possible antiarrhythmic activities of trapidil

Possible antiarrhythmic activities of 5-methyl-7-diethylamino-s-triazolo(1,5-a)pyrimidine (trapidil, Rocornal) were investigated in vitro and in vivo. Trapidil significantly increased the amount of aconitine or ouabain needed for production of ventricular arrhythmias in rats and guinea pigs. Trapidil also produced a significant increase in threshold current of electrical stimuli which induced ventricular tachycardia in dogs under acute myocardial ischemia. Electrophysiological examinations on effects of trapidil on isolated rabbit ventricular muscle cells showed shortening of the action potential duration (APD) and prolongation of the effective refractory period (ERP), resulting in an increase in the ratio of ERP/APD. The results indicate that trapidil will have a possible effectiveness in inhibiting ventricular arrhythmias.