Summary
The haemodynamic effect of verapamil has been studied in twelve patients during diagnostic cardiac catheterisation. The dose administered was 0.1 mg/kg body-weight given as an i. v. injection followed immediately by continuous infusion of 0.005 mg/kg body-weight per minute for thirty minutes. The total amount of verapamil administered varied between 13.0 and 21.6 mg. Brachial and pulmonary artery pressure, cardiac output, stroke volume, heart rate and peripheral vascular resistance were studied as well as atrioventricular conduction. — In patients in sinus rhythm no significant haemodynamic effects were observed, despite a significant increase in the atrioventricular conduction time. One patient developed second degree atrioventricular block, and several others showed first degree blocks. Two digitalized patients with atrial fibrillation were examined. Their results differed as they showed significant decreases in ventricular rate, blood pressure and cardiac output despite some increase in stroke volume. — On the basis of these results it was concluded that verapamil does not seem to have any haemodynamically unfavourable effects in the doses used. However, until further experience has been gained, verapamil should be used with caution in patients with atrial fibrillation who have already been digitalized. Verapamil should also be used with great care in persons with disturbed atrioventricular conduction and should not be given at all to patients with AV block of the second and third degree.
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Rydén, L., Saetre, H. The haemodynamic effect of verapamil. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 3, 153–157 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00572456
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00572456