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Effects of flecainide on defibrillation threshold in pigs
A Natale1, D L Jones, P W Kleinstiver
1Heart and Circulation Group, John P. Robarts Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.
Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology
|April 1, 1993
Summary
Flecainide did not change defibrillation thresholds in pigs, regardless of anesthesia type or shock method. This study clarifies conflicting findings on flecainide
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Anesthesiology
Background:
- Previous studies reported conflicting effects of flecainide on defibrillation efficacy.
- Discrepancies were potentially linked to anesthetic agents, defibrillation techniques, or animal species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of flecainide on defibrillation threshold (DFT).
- To determine if anesthetic regimen (halothane vs. barbiturate) or defibrillation technique (single vs. sequential pulse) influences flecainide's effect on DFT.
Main Methods:
- Open-chest pigs (n=34) received graded doses of flecainide or saline under halothane anesthesia.
- Defibrillation threshold determined using single and sequential pulse shocks before and after infusions.
- Similar assessments conducted in barbiturate-anesthetized animals (n=10).
Main Results:
- Flecainide administration did not significantly alter DFT in halothane-anesthetized pigs for either shock type.
- No significant changes in DFT were observed in barbiturate-anesthetized animals with either shock method.
- Flecainide showed no effect on DFT across different anesthetic regimens and defibrillation techniques.
Conclusions:
- Flecainide does not appear to affect defibrillation threshold in pigs.
- The anesthetic regimen and defibrillation technique did not modify the lack of flecainide effect on DFT.
- Findings suggest flecainide's impact on defibrillation efficacy may be species- or anesthetic-dependent.