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Mexiletine for the Management of Ventricular Arrhythmias in Ischemic Heart Disease
Author(s) -
HALINEN MATTI O.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
clinical progress in electrophysiology and pacing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.193
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1540-8167
pISSN - 8756-9264
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-8167.1986.tb01736.x
Subject(s) - mexiletine , flecainide , medicine , amiodarone , ventricular tachycardia , adverse effect , cardiology , antiarrhythmic agent , dose , sustained ventricular tachycardia , anti arrhythmia agents , anesthesia , heart disease , pharmacology , atrial fibrillation
Mexiletine, a type IB anti arrhythmic agent, has recently been released in the United States for use in the oral treatment of ventricular arrhythmias. It is as effective as other group IB and LA drugs, and less effective than group 1C agents such as propafawne, flecainide, and amiodarone; however, it has the advantage of being associated with fewer serious adverse effects. Mexiletine will control ventricular tachycardia in patients with drug‐resistant arrhythmias in 20–30% of cases; in unselected populations it may abolish VT in 50–96%. It is recommended that mexiletine be combined with beta blockers and/or group IA drugs for treating resistant arrhythmias. Efficacy may be increased and adverse side effects reduced through use of smaller dosages and combination therapy.