Effects of short-term ketanserin treatment on the QT interval and vagal function in healthy subjects.

1. The serotonergic type-2 (5HT2) antagonist ketanserin was given in a dose of 40 mg twice daily for 3 days to eight healthy subjects in a double-blind placebo controlled randomized crossover study. 2. The QTc interval was prolonged slightly but significantly (P less than 0.01) by a mean of 29 +/- 7 milliseconds after ketanserin compared to placebo. 3. Ketanserin reduced both mean arterial pressure and heart rate (P less than 0.05), by 5.7 +/- 1.8 mmHg and 3.5 +/- 1.5 beats minute-1 respectively, when compared to placebo. 4. There was a tendency (not statistically significant) for cardiac vagal outflow to be reduced after ketanserin (assessed by the heart rate responses to standing, deep breathing and the Valsalva manoeuvre). 5. In healthy man, ketanserin causes prolongation of the QTc interval and a reduction in heart rate. These changes do not appear to be due to enhanced cardiac parasympathetic activity.