Relevance of mexiletine in the era of evolving antiarrhythmic therapy of ventricular arrhythmias.
Clin Res Cardiol
; 113(6): 791-800, 2024 Jun.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38353682
ABSTRACT
Despite impressive developments in the field of ventricular arrhythmias, there is still a relevant number of patients with ventricular arrhythmias who require antiarrhythmic drug therapy and may, e.g., in otherwise drug and/or ablation refractory situations, benefit from agents known for decades, such as mexiletine. Through its capability of blocking fast sodium channels in cardiomyocytes, it has played a minor to moderate antiarrhythmic role throughout the recent decades. Nevertheless, certain patients with structural heart disease suffering from drug-refractory, i.e., mainly amiodarone refractory ventricular arrhythmias, as well as those with selected forms of congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) may nowadays still benefit from mexiletine. Here, we outline mexiletine's cellular and clinical electrophysiological properties. In addition, the application of mexiletine may be accompanied by various potential side effects, e.g., nausea and tremor, and is limited by several drug-drug interactions. Thus, we shed light on the current therapeutic role of mexiletine for therapy of ventricular arrhythmias and discuss clinically relevant aspects of its indications based on current evidence.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Mexiletine
/
Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Clin Res Cardiol
Journal subject:
CARDIOLOGIA
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Country of publication: