EXPERIMENTAL-STUDY ON THE ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF THE COMBINATION OF THE ANTIARRHYTHMIC DRUGS APRINDINE AND VERAPAMIL

The acute electrophysiological effects of the antiarrhythmic drugs aprindine and verapamil, injected intravenously either alone or in combination, were studied in 14 dogs during invasive electrophysiology. The AH and HV intervals during sinus rhythm were significantly prolonged, especially in the aprindine and the aprindine plus verapamil groups. The cycle lengths of the antegrade and retrograde atrio-ventricular block were most prolonged in the combination group. The effective refractory period and the functional refractory period of the atrial tissue, as well as the functional refractory period of the atrio-ventricular node, the effective refractory period of ventricular tissue and the ventriculoatrial conduction system were most prolonged when the combination of the agents was given. The effective refractory period of the atrio-ventricular node was prolonged in the groups receiving verapamil and verapamil plus aprindine. There was no significant difference in the serum concentration of each agent given alone or in combination. These results suggest that the efficacy of the combination of verapamil and aprindine may be due to additive or synergistic effects of these antiarrhythmic agents.