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Verapamil in atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter
Author(s) -
Aronow Wilbert S.,
Landa Daniel,
Plasencia Gilbert,
Wong Raymond,
Karlsberg Ronald P.,
Ferlinz Jack
Publication year - 1979
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/cpt1979265578
Subject(s) - verapamil , atrial flutter , atrial fibrillation , medicine , sinus rhythm , saline , cardiology , anesthesia , antiarrhythmic agent , heart rate , heart disease , calcium , blood pressure
A double‐blind, randomized study was performed to compare the efficacy of intravenous verapamil with saline in 28 patients with a rapid ventricular rate and atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. Conversion of atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm occurred in none of 14 patients after saline and in 3 of 20 patients (15%) 7 to 160 min after verapamil. The ventricular rate in atrial fibrillation was slowed ≥15% in 2 of 14 patients (14%) by saline, in 17 of 20 patients (85%) by 1 dose of verapamil (p < 0.001), and in 19 of 20 patients (95%) by 1 or 2 doses of verapamil (p < 0.001). Conversion of atrial flutter to sinus rhythm occurred in none of 4 patients after saline and in 1 of 7 patients (14%) 105 min after verapamil. The ventricular rate in atrial flutter was slowed &15% in none of 4 patients by saline, in 4 of 7 patients (57%) by 1 dose of verapamil, and in 7 of 7 patients (100%) by 1 or 2 doses of verapamil (p < 0.001).