Fj. Chorro et al., MODIFICATIONS IN THE EVOLUTION OF THE DOMINANT FREQUENCY IN VENTRICULAR-FIBRILLATION INDUCED BY AMIODARONE, DILTIAZEM, AND FLECAINIDE, Journal of electrocardiology, 29(4), 1996, pp. 319-326
In 22 anesthetized mongrel dogs, spectral methods were used to analyze
the surface electrocardiogram (EGG) for the time course of the domina
nt frequency in ventricular fibrillation and its modifications under t
he influence of amiodarone, diltiazem, and flecainide. The ECG was rec
orded over 5 minutes after triggering ventricular fibrillation. Follow
ing AID conversion and by applying the Fourier fast transform, the fre
quency spectrum oi the signals was obtained. In group 1 (5 dogs), the
ECGs were obtained without prior drug administration; group 2 (5 dogs)
first received amiodarone, 5 mg/kg; group 3 (7 dogs) received diltiaz
em, 0.2 mg/kg; and group 3 (5 dogs) received flecainide, 2 mg/kg. All
drugs were administered intravenously. An initial increase in the domi
nant frequency of ventricular fibrillation was found in the control gr
oup and also in the groups that received amiodarone, diltiazem, or fle
cainide. Diltiazem significantly increased the dominant frequency and
diminished the arrhythmia-slowing process. Amiodarone and flecainide t
ended to diminish the dominant frequency.