The antiarrhythmic effect of intravenous disopyramide in an open study

The antiarrhythmic effect of intravenous disopyramide phosphate was assessed in a multicentre open study of 141 patients admitted to coronary care units. Disopyramide was administered in a bolus dose of 2 mg/kg over 10 min with an optional second bolus of 1 mg/kg and infusion of 0.4 mg/kg hour. Atrial fibrillation was terminated in 57% of 56 patients, supraventricular tachycardia in 82% of 11 patients, ventricular tachycardia in 88% of 17 patients and premature ventricular contractions were controlled in 85% of 55 patients. Atrial flutter was terminated in only 2 of 17 patients (12%). Side effects occurred in 38% of the patients, the most frequent being those relating to anticholinergic properties of the drug (15%) or systemic hypotension (13%). Occasionally worsening of the arrhythmia (4%), QRS widening (3) or apparent hypertension (2%) were noted. It was concluded that intravenous disopyramide is an effective antiarrhythmic agent in the coronary care unit setting, but that side effects require close monitoring of dosage.