[Preventive disopyramide in patients with ventricular arrhythmias detected by exercise]

Twenty patients with coronary heart disease subjected to exercise testing presented ventricular arrhythmias. In a "double blind" design, oral disopyramide was administered during 7 days, after which the test was repeated. In 16 patients disopyramide prevented the appearance of arrhythmia or decreased their severity. Basal heart rate increased. Significant toxic or colateral effects were not observed. In 6 cases, placebo also hindered exercise arrhythmias. It is suggested that disopyramide may be useful in the prevention of sudden death from ventricular arrhythmias.