Control of ventricular arrhythmias during myocardial infarction by antilipolytic treatment using a nicotinic-acid analogue.

The effect of lowering raised plasma-free-fatty acids (F.F.A.) on the incidence of serious ventricular arrhythmias after myocardial infarction was assessed by a double-blind trial in eighty-one patients. A nicotinic-acid analogue (N.A.A.) with very slight haemodynamic effects was given within 12 hours of the onset of myocardial infarction to lower plasma-F.F.A. When treatment with N.A.A. was started within 5 hours of the onset of symptoms, the numbers of patients with ventricular symptoms, the numbers of patients with ventricular tachycardia were significantly reduced, provided elevated plasma-F.F.A. levels were rapidly lowered and maintained in the normal range throughout the treatment period. The incidence of R-on-apex T ventricular premature beats and beats in which the ectopic R wave interrupted the apex of the T wave of a previous ventricular premature beat was also reduced in patients receiving N.A.A within 5 hours of the onset of symptoms. Plasma-total-catecholamines and serum-creatine-kinase levels were similar in the N.A.A.-treated and placebo groups. N.A.A. rarely caused skin flushing, but vomiting occurred in some patients after many hours of treatment. These findings suggest that treatment directed towards stabilsing the matabolism of the ischaemic myocardium can be of therapeutic value and lead to fewer serious ventricular arrhythmias.