[Arrhythmias during catheterization of patients with acute myocardial infarction (author's transl)].

Arrhythmias in forty consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction during ventricle passage of floating catheters were compared with those in forty patients with chronic heart disease. Lidocaine (1 mg/kg body weight i. v.) as a bolus proved to be effective in reducing the incidence of these arrhythmias, because the number of single ventricular premature beats (VPBs), and the number of VPBs in salves was significantly reduced. Haemodynamic changes due to this bolus are small and short-lasting, so that they are acceptable, especially when continuous monitoring of the patients is attempted. Furthermore dangerous arrhythmias are reported in 1600 cases treated with floating catheters.