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Electrophysiologic properties of perhexiline
Author(s) -
Vera Zakauddin,
Gray Don R.,
Harter Kyle W.,
Janze David A.,
Massumi Rashid A.,
Mason Dean T.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.941
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1532-6535
pISSN - 0009-9236
DOI - 10.1002/cpt1975185part1623
Subject(s) - medicine , cardiology , qrs complex , qt interval , intracardiac injection , sinus rhythm , pr interval , anesthesia , electrical conduction system of the heart , atrial fibrillation , heart rate , electrocardiography , blood pressure
Perhexiline maleate (Pexid), a promising clinical antiarrhythmic and antianginal drug, was evaluated for its electrophysiologic effects on the entire conduction system of the intact canine heart throughout a wide range of therapeutic and potentially toxic doses. Intracardiac conduction times were measured by bipolar intramyocardial and transvenous endocardial electrodes before and following the intravenous administration of each dose of perhexiline maleate, 3 mg/kg every 30 min for a total of 4 doses in 7 open‐chest anesthetized dogs. Eight animals served as controls in which similar operative technique and electrophysiologic variables were recorded after infusion of the maleate diluent. In addition, the effects of perhexiline on atrial and ventricular thresholds to electrical stimulation were recorded, as well as the QRS and QT intervals, sinus rate, and rhythm disorders. It was observed that perhexiline did not significantly (p > .05) alter sinus rate, QT interval, QRS duration, PR interval, intra‐atrial conduction time, atrioventricular nodal conduction time, and His‐Purkinje conduction velocity. The drug did not affect the cardiac threshold to electrical stimulation of <0.1 mao No ectopic atrial or ventricular activity emerged during the accumulated influence of the agent. From this study, it is concluded that perhexiline does not exert deleterious actions on the conduction system of the intact canine heart. In view of the negligible toxic effects and its efficacy in treating ventricular tachyarrhythmias in patients, the drug deserves further clinical evaluation.