HYDRALAZINE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SYMPTOMATIC SINUS BRADYCARDIA

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 12  (5) , 261-270
Abstract
Hydralazine (Apresoline) was used to increase heart rate in 21 patients (14 hypertensive and 7 normotensive) suffering from symptomatic sinus bradycardia (SSB). Patients were assessed clinically and by 24 h ECG analysis before and after tailored increasing doses of the drug. Heart rates measured were resting (basal) rate minimum rate during sleep, maximal rate during the day and mean rate during the 24 h period (from hourly strips). The longest sinus pause or period of sinus arrest (when present) was measured. Hydralazine ameliorated symptoms and produced a 20% or greater increase in heart rate in just under 2/3 of the hypertensive and half of the normotensive patients. Blood pressure decreased slightly in hypertensive but not in normotensive patients. There were no important side-effects. Hydralazine appears to be a useful and effective drug to increase heart rate in patients with SSB.