Value of diazepam ('Valium') in treatment of cardiac arrhythmias

Br Heart J. 1970 Nov;32(6):827-32. doi: 10.1136/hrt.32.6.827.

Abstract

Diazepam did not alter the rate or rhythm in III patients with atrial fibrillation. In 3 out of 38 patients with atrial flutter the use of diazepam was followed by an increase in atrioventricular block. Diazepam restored sinus rhythm in I patient with atrial tachycardia (total 7 patients) and in I patient with ventricular tachycardia (total 8 patients). Experimentally in the dog diazepam raised the electrically-induced ventricular tachycardia threshold significantly. Pretreatment with diazepam did not alter significantly the dose of strophanthidin K required to induce ventricular tachycardia in the dog. The value of diazepam as a cardiac anti-arrhythmic agent should be further assessed in a controlled clinical trial, especially in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents*
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / drug therapy*
  • Diazepam / therapeutic use*
  • Dogs
  • Drug Evaluation
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Electrocardiography
  • Female
  • Heart Ventricles / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Tachycardia / drug therapy

Substances

  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
  • Diazepam