[The clinical efficacy of verapamil in ventricular extrasystolic arrhythmia and parasystole].

An arrhythmogenic mechanism has been investigated pharmacologically by acute drug tests (ADT) and alternate block of slow calcium channels and fast sodium channels of the cellular membranes. ADT with verapamil reduced extrasystoles by 60% in 44% of patients demonstrating the predominance of calcium-dependent arrhythmogenesis. An antiarrhythmic efficacy of fast sodium channels blockers was ascertained in 33% of the patients. ADT with rhythmilen and verapamil produced a satisfactory antiarrhythmic effect in 18% of the examinees. These patients seem to have parallel activation of both fast sodium and slow calcium channels. They received courses of both drugs. It is stated that a pharmacological analysis of extrasystolic arrhythmia allows inference on pathogenesis of myocytic electrolyte disturbances which serves the basis for adequate corrective therapy.