[Effects of acute infusion of verampil on the ST segment elevation measured with the Frank orthogonal leads in patients with acute myocardial infarct].

The effect of verapamil on ST changes was evaluated in 10 selected patients with acute myocardial infarction admitted to the Coronary Care Unit within 8 hours after the onset of symptoms. To evaluate the extent of ischemia it has been used the magnitude and direction of the ST vector derived from X, Y and Z leads of the Frank vector system. After a control period of 2 hours, during which the changes of the ST vector magnitude were assessed, each patient received 0.1 mg/Kg verapamil intravenously, ST vector magnitude (STVM), ST azimuth (STAZ), ST elevation (STEL), heart rate, systemic blood pressure and pressure-rate product were assessed 5, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105 and 120 minutes after the administration of the drug. Verapamil produced a significant progressive decrease in STVM (from a mean of 254 +/- 44 muV at the end of the control period, to 139 +/- 25 muV after 2 hours; P < 0.01). Systolic blood pressure decreased significantly throughout the trial; the most significant decrease was registered immediately after the infusion of verapamil (from a mean of 134 +/- 3 mmHg to 121 +/- 3 mmHg; P < 0.001). Pressure-rate product declined slightly. No significant change in STVM was observed in 10 control patients with acute myocardial infarction examined over a 4 hours period. The apparent protective effect of verapamil in myocardial ischemia is discussed in relation to its calcium-antagonistic properties in excitable tissues.