Effect of Lidocaine on Ventricular Arrhythmias in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease

LIDOCAINE (Xylocaine) has become one of the most frequently used drugs in the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias, particularly those associated with acute myocardial infarction. It has been shown to terminate ventricular tachycardia, and it has been given to suppress multiple ventricular extrasystoles.1 , 2 The drug has been administered as an intravenous bolus or as a constant intravenous infusion. Although the use of lidocaine as an antiarrhythmic in postoperative cardiac surgery has been investigated,3 little objective information is available regarding the therapeutic and toxic doses in patients with myocardial infarction. Its effect on ventricular tachycardia can readily be shown, but the evaluation . . .