PAROXYSMAL VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA TREATED WITH INTRAVENOUS INJECTIONS OF QUINIDINE

Abstract
THE INTRAVENOUS administration of quinidine has not been accepted generally because of serious reactions following its use by this route.1 Although intravenous quinidine preparations are known to be effective in terminating paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia,2 their use has been delayed because serious sideeffects have occurred when they have been given for this purpose.3 There are few reports describing its use in a significant number of attacks of ventricular tachycardia. Hepburn and Rykert2g recorded nine instances, and normal sinus rhythm was restored in eight. Recently Armbrust and Levine,2a in analyzing 107 cases of paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia, described 31 attacks treated with intravenous quinidine. In 20 of the attacks, conversion to normal sinus rhythm occurred at a time which indicated a response to quinidine therapy. Herrmann and Hejtmancik2f found it effective in two of three cases, and Clagett2b successfully treated three patients. Strong and Munroe2e and, more recently, Bell and his associates2c have