[The action of intravenous flecainide in experimental ventricular arrhythmias]

Experimental ventricular tachycardias were provoked in dog hearts with minute crystals of aconitine introduced into the periphery of an infarcted area, produced by intramural injection of 1-1.5 ml of phenol near the apex of left ventricle. The response of these tachycardias (VT) to flecainide was studied. Leads II, aVL, intraventricular right and left unipolar records, as well as one on the superior vena cava (SVC) were registered under control conditions, with VT and after the injection of this antiarrhythmic agent. This injection was infused into SVC over 15-20 minutes. Records were obtained with constant intervals, waiting for the recovery of sinus rhythm (SR) and the posterior reappearance of ventricular tachycardia. The experiments were performed 6 to 8 hs with continuous infusion of Hartmann' solutions. Throughout these periods, the variations of systemic systolic pressure were registered. Of the 22 dogs receiving 4 mg/kg of flecainide, transient SR was observed in 12 (55%), while in 4 (18%) this medication had no effect. Heart block presented in 2 animals and a fall of arterial pressure in 4. Of another 25 dogs receiving 2.5 mg/kg of flecainide, similar to clinical doses, transient SR appeared in 11 (44%), while in 3 (12%) SR was not observed. In other 2 groups, each of 15 dogs, the repeated antiarrhythmic action of flecainide was present in 33% with 4 mg/kg and in 20% with 2.5 mg/kg. This medication had no effect in 20% of the former and in 40% of the latter. However the low dose did not produce undesirable effects. Furthermore these differences were no significant statistically. Flecainide is effective in certain experimental ventricular tachycardias probably related to sodium-dependent potentials.