The Use of Procaine Amide in Cardiac Arrhythmias

Procaine amide, a new synthetic analogue of procaine, has marked antiarrythmic activity and is relatively stable in the body. It is effective when administered orally or intravenously, and has few toxic effects in therapeutic doses. The drug has been used successfully in the suppression of ventricular premature contractions and in the interruption of ventricular tachycardia. Some patients treated successfully with procaine amide had been given quinidine to the point of toxicity without affecting the aberrant rhythm. Procaine amide appears to be less effective in interrupting auricular than ventricular arrhythmias.