Effects of intravenous infusion of changrolin on cardiac function of patients with arrhythmia

An iv infusion of changrolin, a new anti-arrhythmic drug, was given to 10 patients (3.3 mg/min for uo min). Among the 7 patients with ventricular ectopic oeats(VEB), five had their arrhythmia completely suppressed at about 20 min after beginning of iriieusiofi. In the other 2 patients, the number of VEB was markedly reduced. One patient with atrial fibrillation reverted to sinus thythm after 40 min of infusion. No effect was found in 2 patients witli atrial and nodal premature beats. Hemodynamic changes measured by impedance caraiogram and systolic time interval showed significant decreases in stroke index, stroke power. left ventricular work and Heather index (20,26,16 and 28%, respectively), and prolongation in PEP/LVET (9%) at 60 min. These indices returned to control levels after cessation of infusion. There were no significant changes in cardiac index, heart rate, total peripheral resistance and mean arterial pressure. The results suggest that changrolin is a useful drug in treating arrhythmia in spite of some negative inotropic effects.