Acute haemodynamic effects of ajmaline and prajmaline in patients with coronary heart disease

Summary Thirty patients undergoing cardiac catheterisation for coronary artery disease received parenteral ajmaline (15 patients) or prajmaline (15 patients). There were no statistically significant induced changes in left ventricular systolic or end diastolic pressures, indirect left atrial pressure, pulmonary artery mean pressure, cardiac output or left ventricular ejection fraction compared to control values. Intravenous prajmaline bitartrate in 15 patients with angina did not significantly alter work capacity, maximum exercise heart rate or systolic blood pressure compared to control values. Five patients developed transient minor conduction defects (2 LBBB, 1 RBBB, 2 prolonged PR interval): all five were also receiving long-term treatment with beta blockers and nifedipine.