ABSTRACT
Wide QRS tachycardia may represent a rare proarrhythmic effect of some antiarrhythmic agents. Class Ic antiarrhythmic agents produce rate- dependent ventricular conduction slowing due to use-dependent sodium channel blockade, causing QRS prolongation in cases with an increased heart rate. The authors describe two cases of atrial flutter with 1:1 atrioventricular conduction exhibiting a wide QRS tachycardia while on therapy using flecainide and propafenone, and the difficulty in interpreting the ECG.
Subject(s)
Humans , Atrial Fibrillation , Atrial Flutter , Electrocardiography , Flecainide , Heart Rate , Propafenone , Sodium Channels , TachycardiaABSTRACT
Wide QRS tachycardia may represent a rare proarrhythmic effect of some antiarrhythmic agents. Class Ic antiarrhythmic agents produce rate- dependent ventricular conduction slowing due to use-dependent sodium channel blockade, causing QRS prolongation in cases with an increased heart rate. The authors describe two cases of atrial flutter with 1:1 atrioventricular conduction exhibiting a wide QRS tachycardia while on therapy using flecainide and propafenone, and the difficulty in interpreting the ECG.