Nifedipine for digitalis-induced arrhythmias

The calcium antagonist, nifedipine (Adalat; Bayer), has previously been thought by most workers to lack cardiac-anti-arrhythmic properties, thus differing from verapamil. We have found that nifedipine was successful in converting cardiac glycoside (K-strophanthoside)-induced ventricular tachycardia to sinus rhythm in 4 of 5 anaesthetized dogs when given intravenously. In this respect, therefore, nifedipine is similar to verapamil. Further work is advocated before applying these results to the clinical situation in man.