Effect of Propranolol on Paroxysmal Ventricular Fibrillation

Beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agents such as pronethalol and pro-pranolol have been reported to be useful in the treatment of various types of arrhythmia, including ventricular flutter and fibrillation. Recently, we experienced a patient who had been suffering from recurrent attacks of paroxysmal ventricular fibrillation, which was successfully controlled by pro-pranolol (Inderal®). The patient was a 22-year-old man who was admitted with a chief complaint of recurrent episodes of retrosternal distress, occasionally associated with syncope. On examination this attack was found to be due to ventricular fibrillation. Propranolol (Inderal®) in 4mg given intravenously completely suppressed the recurrent attacks after other drugs had failed. The nature of this ventricular fibrillation was difficult to point out, but a certain localized myocarditis was suspected as a focus of abnormal myocardial irritability.