Acebutolol in supraventricular arrhythmias.

The effect of intravenous acebutolol on supraventricular arrhythmias was evaluated in 20 patients, 5 with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A rapid ventricular rate in atrial fibrillation was slowed greater than 15% in all of 10 patients by acebutolol and in none of 5 patients by saline. A rapid ventricular rate in atrial flutter was slowed greater than 15% in all of 6 patients by acebutolol and in none of 3 patients by saline. Frequent premature atrial beats were abolished or reduced by greater than 75% in each of 2 patients by acebutolol and not in a patient by saline. Acebutolol converted multifocal atrial tachycardia to sinus rhythm in a patient. Digitalis-induced nonparoxysmal atrioventricular junctional tachycardia was not affected by saline but was abolished by acebutolol in a patient. Acebutolol was well tolerated in each of 5 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Acebutolol is useful in the treatment of supraventricular arrhythmias.