Ventricular tachycardia. Control by intermittent, intravenous administration of lidocaine hydrochloride

Abstract

Recurrent ventricular tachycardia arising in an otherwise healthy, 31-year-old white women was unresponsive to various antiarrhythmic agents. The arrhythmia was controlled with a combination of direct-current countershock and may intermittent, intravenous lidocaine hydrocholoride administration. Lidocaine was given intravenously more frequently over a longer period of time to a larger total dose than heretofore reported. The frequent administration of lidocaine may be a critical factor in its effectiveness as an antiarrhythmic agent.