org-7797 and Coronary-Disease

The hemodynamic effects of a new Ic antiarrhythmic agent (Org 7797) were compared with those of flecainide and propafenone in anesthetized pigs with developing myocardial infarcts. One hour after acute coronary artery occlusion, the only significant hemodynamic effect of an intravenous (i.v.) dose of Org 7797 (0.5 mg/kg) known to prevent ischemia-induced ventricular fibrillation (VF) in dogs was a decrease in heart rate (HR) (of 3%) while cardiac output (CO), stroke volume (SV), and left ventricular (LV) dP/dtP-1 were unchanged. At four times this dose, the only sustained and significant responses to Org 7797 were decreased CO and bradycardia, whereas decreases in arterial and LV pressures (BP and LVP) and LVdP/dtP-1 were transient. In contrast, a therapeutic dose of flecainide (2 mg/kg) induced sustained reductions in CO, SV, LVdP/dtP-1, and LVP whereas a similar (therapeutic) dose of propafenone decreased LVP, reduced CO partly as a result of bradycardia and decreased LVdP/dtP-1 but not sufficiently to decrease SV. Two electrical deaths occurred in each of the propafenone (n = 6) and flecainide (n = 7) groups, but arrhythmic deaths did not occur in Org 7797- or saline-treated animals. We conclude that Org 7797 in therapeutic doses, unlike propafenone and especially flecainide, is not cardiodepressant in animals whose cardiac function is already compromised. In addition, there was no evidence of proarrhythmogenicity at the doses of Org 7797 used.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; Coronary Disease; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Estrenes; Female; Flecainide; Heart Ventricles; Hemodynamics; Male; Myocardial Infarction; Organ Size; Propafenone; Swine; Time Factors; Ventricular Function, Left

Org 7797 is effective against ventricular fibrillation (VF) induced during ischemia. In Langendorff-perfused pig hearts, application of three premature stimuli to nonischemic myocardium between 3 and 5 min after coronary occlusion always resulted in VF in the absence of drug. In no instance when Org 7797 was present (2-10 microM) could VF be induced, although sustained and nonsustained ventricular tachycardias (VTs) could still be initiated in about two thirds of treated hearts. We determined the effects of Org 7797 on wavelength in normal and ischemic myocardium during regular driving at a cycle length of 350 ms. Wavelength, the algebraic product of conduction velocity and refractory period, is considered a useful parameter in assessing efficacy of antiarrhythmic agents in preventing reentrant arrhythmias. Conduction velocity was obtained by analyzing the spread of activation under 121 unipolar electrodes (1 mm apart) placed around a central stimulus electrode. Refractory periods were determined with premature test stimuli at an intensity of twice diastolic threshold. Both in normal and ischemic myocardium Org 7797 (5-10 microM) produced a marked shortening of wavelength. This should predispose to reentry. However, Org 7797 prolonged the refractory period at the fastest possible driving rate from 154 to 247 ms and attenuated (5 microM) or prevented (10 microM) shortening of the refractory period during application of subsequent premature stimuli. The antifibrillatory effect of the drug may be explained by prolongation of wavelength at very short cycles.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; Coronary Disease; Electric Stimulation; Electrocardiography; Estrenes; Female; Heart Conduction System; Male; Swine; Ventricular Fibrillation