[The new calcium antagonist Ro 11-1781 in the treatment of ventricular tachycardia due to atrial fibrillation].

In 9 patients with tachyarrhythmia and atrial fibrillation the effect of the i.v. application of the calcium antagonist Ro 11-1781 on the av-conduction was investigated. All patients received 1 mg/kg during 2-3 minutes. A significant decrease of the ventricular rate at the end of the injection period was noted. The maximal decrease of the av-conduction of 10-32 % of the initial ventricular rate was observed 5-10 min after the injection. During 60 min the initial heart rate before application of the drug was not yet reached again. The registrations prove the inihibiting effect of Ro 11-1781 on av-conduction in atrial fibrillation, which was sufficient for therapeutic use in our cases concerning the reduction of heart rate and duration of the effect. No serious side effects were observed.