Verapamil in arrhythmia

Abstract

The antiarrhythmic effects of verapamil were observed before it was appreciated that it was a calcium ion-antagonist. Intravenous verapamil is highly effective in the termination of paroxysmal reciprocating atrioventricular tachycardia, whether associated with preexcitation or involving the atrioventricular node alone. It consistently slows and regularises the ventricular response in atrial fibrillation, and usually increases the degree of AV-nodal block in atrial flutter though it occasionally induces a return to sinus rhythm. Given orally it is useful for the prophylaxis of atrioventricular reentry tachycardia, and also in modulating the atrioventricular nodal response in atrial fibrillation. Favourable response in ventricular tachycardia is exceptional and then seen in specific benign varieties. Verapamil is the agent of choice for the termination of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.