Clinical evaluation of bisoprolol in the treatment of extrasystoles and sinus tachycardia: an interim report.

The effectiveness and safety of bisoprolol, a newly developed beta-adrenergic blocking drug, in the treatment of arrhythmias were evaluated in 17 patients with premature ventricular contraction (PVC), 8 with premature atrial contraction (PAC) and 7 with sinus tachycardia. More than 50% reduction of the PVC frequency was observed in 7 out of 16 patients. PVC was reduced in 2 out of 5 patients at a daily dose of 2.5 mg. The PAC frequency was decreased in 50% of the patients, and sinus tachycardia was improved in all 7 patients. Adverse reactions were observed in 8 of 32 patients. This preliminary study suggests that the antiarrhythmic effects of bisoprolol could be assessed starting at a daily dose of 2.5 mg to determine its optimal effective dose in Japanese patients.