[Treatment of rhythm disorders of ventricular origin with KO 1173 (Mexiletin) (author's transl)].

In 52 patients, KO 1173 (Mexiletin) administered intravenously and/or orally has been used for the treatment of rhythm disorders of ventricular origin. The disturbances of rhythm studied included ventricular extrasystoles, ventricular tachycardia and by DC-cardioversion abolished ventricular fibrillation. By intravenously administered KO 1173, 31 of the 32 patients had a more than 75% reduction of their ventricular extrasystoles or complete abolition of the arrhythmia. In 5 patients with ventricular tachycardia, rhythm disorder was terminated by administration of a total dose of 125 to 250 mg. When used prophylactically in patients with ventricular fibrillation terminated by electrical means, KO 1173 was successful in 10 of the 11 patients. Oral administration was carried out in a total of 32 patients. In 26 of the 32 patients optimum dosage for maximum beneficial effect appeared to be 200 mg 3 times daily. 6 patients responded unsatisfactory to KO 1173. The intravenous administration of KO 1173 induced side-effects, primarily manifested by central nervous system disturbances, which we have partly attributed to the dosage and the time of injection. No noteworthy side-effects have been reported at the oral administration. In 1 patient complaining of gastric irritation KO 1173 was withdrawn.