Long-term effect of perhexiline maleate on ventricular ectopic activity.

The effectiveness of perhexiline maleate in the suppression of ventricular ectopic activity has been studied in 10 patients after myocardial infarction. Before treatment all patients exhibited frequent ectopic beats, i.e. more than 8 per hour. Numerous Holter magnetic tape recordings were made over a 9 - 10-month period of treatment. During the entire period of monitoring significant suppression of ectopic activity was observed in 5 patients and transient suppression in 4, of whom 3 subsequently showed a transient increase. The drug was discontinued in 1 patient because of nausea, anorexia and weight loss. No other adverse effects were encountered.