Differential effect of some antiarrhythmic drugs in right- or left-sided aconitine-induced experimental atrial arrhythmias.

The differential effect of different antiarrhythmic agents, quinidine, propranolol, verapamil and sotalol was studied on right- and left-sided aconitine-induced atrial arrhythmias in dogs. In control experiments the time required for the reversion of right aconitine-induced atrial arrhythmias to normal sinus rhythm was higher as compared to left-sided aconitine-induced atrial arrhythmias. All the drugs studied were effective in reverting atrial arrhythmias to normal sinus rhythm, and doses required for suppression of the right atrial arrhythmias as compared to the left atrial arrhythmias were significantly higher in the case of quinidine, sotalol and verapamil, but not in the case of propranolol. The differential antiarrhythmic effect of these drugs in atrial arrhythmias is discussed.