The paradoxical adverse effect of verapamil for treating clinical paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia

Jpn Heart J. 1987 Jan;28(1):107-13. doi: 10.1536/ihj.28.107.

Abstract

The intravenous administration of verapamil to 2 patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) resulted in an induction of PSVT during a programmed electrophysiological stimulation study. Each patient had a documented episode of PSVT. Baseline programmed stimulation studies revealed neither induction of PSVT nor an atrial echo; however, PSVT was induced immediately after injecting verapamil (0.15 mg/kg) intravenously in both patients. In 1 patient, the study was repeated 2 days later and similar results were obtained. The serum concentration of verapamil when PSVT was induced was about 80 ng/ml in both cases. Clinicians using verapamil should note that this antiarrhythmic drug may aggravate PSVT, depending on critical changes in AV nodal conduction and refractoriness.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cardiac Pacing, Artificial
  • Electrocardiography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Tachycardia, Supraventricular / blood
  • Tachycardia, Supraventricular / chemically induced*
  • Tachycardia, Supraventricular / drug therapy
  • Time Factors
  • Verapamil / adverse effects*
  • Verapamil / blood

Substances

  • Verapamil