Electrophysiologic properties of ethacrynic acid in man.

Ethacrynic acid is a potent oral diuretic and saluretic agent. It has been used extensively in the treatment of heart failure and its effects on cardiovascular dynamics are well established. The clinical relief of the symptoms of pulmonary congestion frequently precedes any demonstrable diuretic effect suggesting that extra renal factors may also be involved. In spite of ethacrynic acid's wide use in the treatment of heart failure and hypertension, there is no information on the electrophysiologic properties of the drug in man. The present study involving 10 human subjects was undertaken to determine what effect intravenously administered ethacrynic acid has on the human conduction system.