Clinical uses of antiarrythymic drugs

CLINICAL USES OF ANTIARRYTHMICS DRUGS

  • Class I drugs: Qunidine and procainamide are seldom used in arrhythmias now because of their side effects. Disopyramide is used in atrial fibrillation. Lignocaine is used intravenously to treat ventricular tachycardia and prevent ventricular fibrillation. (Preparations containing adrenaline along with lignocaine should not be used).
  • Class II drugs: These drugs are used in patients recovering from myocardial infarction. They are also used prophylactically against recurrent tachycardia.
  • Class III drugs: These drugs are useful in supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias.
  • Class IV drugs: Verapamil is used to prevent recurrence of supraventricular tachycardia, to reduce ventricular rate in patients with atrial fibrillation. These drugs are dangerous and ineffective in ventricular arrhythmias.
Last modified: Wednesday, 25 April 2012, 11:33 AM