Effects of flecainide on electrophysiological properties of accessory pathways in the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome

The effect of flecainide in 12 patients with the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome was analyzed with respect to the anterograde and retrograde conduction properties of the accessory pathway, the modes of initiation and termination of circus movement tachycardias, and the ventricular response during induced atrial fibrillation. The principal effect of this drug was to depress both anterograde and retrograde conduction of the accessory pathway. In 8/9 cases circus movement tachycardia was terminated by prolongation of the retrograde effective refractory period of the accessory pathway. Flecainide increased the shortest and the mean cycle length during induced atrial fibrillation. It is concluded that the drug may be of potential benefit in patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardias in patients with the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.