Antiarrhythmic drugs: electrophysiological basis of their clinical usage.

Cardiac arrhythmias arise from abnormalities of impulse initiation or impulse conduction or both. A review of the electrophysiological mechanisms of the genesis of cardiac arrhythmias and of the electrophysiological principles of the treatment of the cardiac arrhythmias leads to: categorization of antiarrhythmic drugs into five classes based on their dominant cardiac electrophysiological actions; a series of categories of their effects on impulse initiation and impulse conduction in different types of cardiac cells; and a systematic approach to pharmacological management of cardiac arrhythmias.

Methylmethacrylate seeks an appeal.

We measured hemodynamic and respiratory parameters before and after applying methylmethacrylate (MMC) to acetabular and femoral sites during neuroleptanesthesia and prosthetic hip surgery. No significant major changes were documented. Previously reported adverse effects probably have been due to medullary emboli, humoral responses, or a negative action of MMC on the cardiovascular system when used in conjunction with a potent inhalation anesthetic agent.

Cardiovascular and pulmonary responses following etomidate induction of anesthesia in patients with demonstrated cardiac disease.

Cardiovascular and pulmonary effects following the administration of 0.3 mg/kg of etomidate were studied in patients with documented cardiac disease. The only significant change was a slight elevation (2 torr) in arterial carbon dioxide tension.