Electrophysiological effects of an anti-influenza drug oseltamivir on the guinea-pig atrium: comparison with those of pilsicainide.

We assessed the effects of oseltamivir on the conduction velocity and effective refractory period in the guinea-pig atrium in comparison with those of a class Ic antiarrhythmic drug pilsicainide. The recording and stimulating electrodes were attached on the epicardium close to the sinus nodal region and on the left atrial appendage. Oseltamivir (10-100 µM) as well as pilsicainide (1-10 µM) decreased the atrial conduction velocity in a frequency-dependent manner. Both drugs also increased the effective refractory period in both atria; but the frequency-dependent property of oseltamivir was lacking in the left atrium, and it was less obvious in the right atrium compared with that of pilsicainide. These results suggest that oseltamivir can directly modify the electrophysiological functions in the guinea-pig atrium possibly via combination of Na(+) and K(+) channel-blocking actions.