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Preliminary investigation of the efficacy of sublingual verapamil in the management of acute atrial fibrillation and flutter.
Author(s) -
Fort S.,
Lewis MJ,
Luscombe DK,
John DN
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
british journal of clinical pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.216
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1365-2125
pISSN - 0306-5251
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2125.1994.tb05715.x
Subject(s) - verapamil , medicine , atrial fibrillation , sublingual administration , atrial flutter , anesthesia , heart rate , cardiology , antiarrhythmic agent , fibrillation , blood pressure , heart disease , calcium
The antiarrhythmic properties of sublingual verapamil were investigated in seven patients with acute fast atrial flutter (n = 2) or fibrillation (n = 5). A rapid and significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the ventricular rate was achieved in all seven patients. The ventricular rate at peak plasma verapamil concentration (+/‐ s.d.) was significantly slower than on admission (101.6 +/‐ 11.3 and 159 +/‐ 5.3 beats min‐1 respectively, P < 0.01). The ventricular rate remained controlled for over 4 h. Sublingual verapamil was rapidly absorbed with the maximum peak plasma concentration (153.3 +/‐ 15.5 ng ml‐1) being achieved after 1.21 +/‐ 0.18 h. Side‐effects of sublingual verapamil were limited to one report of a bitter taste. The sublingual administration of verapamil may provide an alternative method for the control of acute fast atrial fibrillation and flutter in selected patients.