The effect of a new antiarrhythmic agent, flecainide acetate, on systolic time intervals

Abstract
We investigated the effect of flecainide on systolic time intervals in 6 healthy subjects. A randomized, double blind, cross-over study was designed using flecainide (2 mg/kg), propranolol (0.2 mg/kg) or saline. In comparison with placebo, flecainide increased heart rate, diastolic BP, QT-Index, QS2-Index, PEP, and reduced LVET-Index (pppppp2-Index, PEP, and PEP/LVET ratio, and decreased LVET-Index (p<0.05). These changes in STI induced by flecainide may be produced by depression of myocardial contractility. Intraventricular conduction delay may be an additional contributing factor.