Observations on haemodynamic effects of mexiletine.

The haemodynamic effects of intravenous mexiletine have been studied in 16 patients with valvular heart disease without clinical evidence of heart failure. A bolus injection of 150 mg administered to 6 of the 16 patients resulted in a mean plasma concentration above the therapeutic range for at least 5 minutes after the drug was given. A small but significant rise in the mean pulmonary artery pressure occurred. In 10 patients, the effects of intravenous mexiletine were compared with those of intravenous saline in a double blind trial. No significant difference was found in the haemodynamic effects, though both saline and mexiletine produced a small rise in the mean pulmonary artery pressure. Mexiletine when administered to patients without heart failure in doses known to be clinically effective did not have important adverse haemodynamic effects.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes