Prenylamine-induced ventricular arrhythmias and syncopal attacks with Q-T prolongation. Report of a case and comment on therapeutic use of lignocaine.

A 70-year-old man, on prenylamine for exertional angina, complained of syncopal attacks which seemed to be caused by bursts of ventricular tachycardia associated with Q-T prolongation. These symptoms disappeared after treatment with lignocaine, and the Q-T interval gradually returned to normal when prenylamine was stopped. This communication emphasizes the possibility of the occurrence of Q-T prolongation with associated ventricular arrhythmias in patients treated with prenylamine and the usefulness of a cautious trial with lignocaine in ventricular arrhythmias linked to Q-T prolongation.