Can chronic antidysrhythmic treatment prevent sudden death?

With the exception of beta-blockers, the potential benefits of chronic treatment with antidysrhythmic agents have been inadequately evaluated. Six randomized controlled clinical trials with at least 100 post-myocardial infarction in patients have been reported. The largest study had 568 patients. For total mortality, no significant difference between treatment and control was noted. Sudden cardiac death was reported in only three of the trials. The clinical trial data for patients without acute myocardial infarction are also scanty and inconclusive. Additional clinical trials of adequate sample size and appropriate design are needed in order to assess whether chronic antidysrhythmic therapy prevents sudden death.