[Complications after intravenous administration of anti-arrhythmia agents]

The frequency and nature of side-effects are analysed in 945 patients subjected to 1205 intravenous infusions of various antiarrhythmic agents. The most common side-effects of novocainamide, isoptin, obsidan, lidocain and trimecain are arterial hypotension and shock, while conductivity disorders, asystole (novocainamide, isoptin), bradycardia, acute heart failure (obsidan) are less frequent. Rapid strophanthin saturation in patients with supraventricular paroxysmal tachyarrhythmias can result in ventricular extrasystole, and the use of phenylephrine hydrochloride can produce an excessive hypertensive response. The occurrence of side-effects can be reduced considerably if antiarrhythmic agents are employed on a correct methodological basis, with adequate infusion rate observed, the first dose correctly chosen, potassium preparations added to the treatment, etc.