Clinical antiarrhythmic efficacy of mexiletine: a review.

This paper consists of a review of some of the most important papers which have recently been devoted to mexiletine. The electrophysiological effects of the drug in normal subjects and in patients with abnormal impulse formation or conduction are described. The results of open studies related to the clinical effects of mexiletine administered intravenously or orally are briefly reported. The efficacy of the drug on ventricular rhythm disorders is then discussed on the basis of data provided by several controlled double-blind studies. The possible role of mexiletine as a protection against sudden death following myocardial infarction is envisaged. The side-effects which were described by the different investigators are listed.