Verapamil for control of ventricular rate in paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation or flutter: a double-blind randomized cross-over study

Ann Intern Med. 1981 Jan;94(1):1-6. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-94-1-1.

Abstract

The effectiveness of verapamil in controlling ventricular rate was evaluated in 20 patients with atrial fibrillation or flutter with a rapid ventricular response (Group 1) and 30 patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (Group 2). In Group 1 low-dose verapamil (0.075 mg/kg body weight) decreased the mean ventricular rate from 146 to 114 beats/min (p < 0.01) compared to a decrease of 145 to 132 beats/min (p < 0.01) after placebo. In Group 2, 14 of 29 patients converted to sinus rhythm after low-dose verapamil, nine of 15 after high-dose verapamil (0.15 mg/kg body weight), and one of 24 after placebo (p < 0.01). We conclude that verapamil results in a clinically significant slowing of the ventricular response in atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter and is superior to placebo for conversion of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia to sinus rhythm.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Atrial Fibrillation / drug therapy*
  • Atrial Flutter / drug therapy*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Heart Rate / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Placebos
  • Random Allocation
  • Tachycardia, Paroxysmal / drug therapy*
  • Verapamil / administration & dosage
  • Verapamil / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Placebos
  • Verapamil