[Preclinical study as a basis for hygienic regulation of benzofuran derivatives].

Experiments on laboratory animals studied toxic effects of benzofuran derivatives obtained during anti-arrythmic drug Amiodarone production. Toxic effects were studied for single and subacute intake through intragastric, inhalation and epicutaneous routes. Recommendations are given for hygienic regulation of Amiodarone and intermediate products of its synthesis in the air of workplace.

[Pharmacological cardioversion of atrial fibrillation]. / Medikamentöse Kardioversion von Vorhofflimmern.

Atrial fibrillation is a very common rhythm disorder that can be therapeutically reverted into sinus rhythm by means of pharmacological or electrical cardioversion. This article reviews options for drug therapy and tries to elucidate the mechanisms of AF termination by antiarrhythmics. We will explain the clinical basis of different therapeutic approaches and review the efficacy of selected substances according to recent clinical studies. Finally, we will focus on some important aspects of anticoagulation in the setting of pharmacological cardioversion.

Review of common adverse effects of selected antiarrhythmic drugs.

The management of cardiac arrhythmias has changed dramatically over the past several years. New drugs and devices are now available to treat various arrhythmias. Many new agents have been developed that rely on different electrophysiologic mechanisms to elicit their effect on the heart rhythm. Though often effective, these drugs also pose a risk because all of them have a variety of potential adverse effects associated with their use. Many of these adverse reactions are common to all antiarrhythmic drugs, whereas others are unique to particular agents. This review discusses the notable adverse effects of selected antiarrhythmic drugs.

[New anti-arrhythmia agents]. / Neue Antiarrhythmika.

Use of class-I antiarrhythmic agents (encainide, flecainide or moricizine) to suppress asymptomatic ventricular premature depolarizations does not decrease, but rather increases mortality from cardiac events after myocardial infarction. These patients should not be treated with antiarrhythmic drugs until improved survival is shown in a controlled clinical trial. In other clinical conditions such as symptomatic tachyarrhythmias class-I agents should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk of an adverse cardiac effect. The development of new class-I drugs does not seem promising. Esmolol is the first intravenous and ultrashort-acting beta-adrenoceptor blocker that can be used to treat supraventricular arrhythmias in the critical care setting; in addition, it displays high cardioselectivity. Specific class-III antiarrhythmic agents including sematilide and dofetilide have been shown to be effective against ventricular tachyarrythmias in preclinical studies, but their clinical value remains to be established. Torsades de pointes arrhythmia is an undesirable side-effect closely coupled to specific class-III action that may limit their future use. The known pharmacological profiles and limited controlled clinical studies make amiodarone and sotalol promising candidates for drugs that may improve survival of patients at risk for sudden cardiac death.