Hemodynamic effects of a new antiarrhythmic agent, flecainide (R-818), in coronary heart disease

The hemodynamic effects of flecainide acetate, a new class I antiarrhythmic agent, were studied in 10 patients with coronary heart disease. The drug was injected intravenously at a dose of 2 mg/kg over 30 minutes. The mean drug plasma level achieved was 394 ng/ml (range 329 to 470). The heart rate did not change, but a significant increase (p less than 0.001) in P-R (+17%), QRS (+15%), and Q-T (+7%) duration occurred after drug administration. Negative inotropic effects also were observed and consisted of an increase (p less than 0.01) in pulmonary wedge pressure (+27%) and a decrease (p less than 0.01) in stroke index (-10%), left ventricular stroke work index (-12%), and left ventricular ejection rate (-11%). No significant change in mean aortic pressure or systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance occurred. Left ventriculography performed after drug infusion revealed a significant increase (p less than 0.01) in systolic volume (+9%) and a decrease in ejection fraction (-9%) and mean velocity of circumferential fiber shortening (Vcf) (-13%). A progressive and significant decrease of dP/dt was observed during drug infusion, but 15 minutes after the injection, dP/dt had returned to near basal values. Thus, flecainide acetate has slight, but significant negative inotropic effects, particularly conspicuous during drug infusion. The drug should be administered with caution in patients with poorly compensated heart.