Defibrillation effects of intravenous nifekalant in patients with out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation.

Abstract

Nifekalant (NF), a pure K(+) channel blocker developed in Japan, has been reported to be effective in the treatment of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. We studied its efficacy in 18 men and 4 women with out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation (VF) admitted to our emergency department between August 2001 and March 2004. The number of DC shocks delivered for out-of-hospital VF, serum Na(+) and K(+), arterial blood pH, and base excess were compared in 8 patients treated with NF, 0.3 mg/kg i.v. followed by a continuous intravenous (group N) versus 14 patients treated with lidocaine, 2 mg/kg, i.v. (group C). The two groups were similar with respect to their baseline characteristics. Sinus rhythm returned in 5 of 8 patients in group N versus 2 of 14 patients in group C (P < 0.05). These seven patients were admitted to the intensive care unit, though all died within 1 month. The results of this study suggest that NF may be effective in defibrillation of out-of-hospital VF, though controlled studies are needed to confirm our observations.

• Authors: Masaki Igarashi, Tadashi Fujino, Miwako Toyoda, Keishi Sugino, Kenichirou Sasao, Shuichi Sasamoto, Takayuki Otsuka, Kenzaburo Kobayashi, Yoshifumi Okano, Katsunori Yosiwara, Nobuya Koyama
• Journal: Pacing and clinical electrophysiology : PACE (Pacing Clin Electrophysiol) Vol. 28 Suppl 1 Pg. S155-7 (Jan 2005) ISSN: 0147-8389 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15683486 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
• Pyrimidinones
• nifekalant

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Anti-Arrhythmia Agents (administration & dosage)
• Electric Countershock
• Emergency Treatment
• Female
• Humans
• Injections, Intravenous
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pyrimidinones (administration & dosage)
• Ventricular Fibrillation (drug therapy, therapy)