Ventricular arrhythmias associated with lidoflazine: side-effects observed in a randomized trial

Twenty-four patients received either propranolol, lidoflazine(Clinium), or propranolol/lidoflazine combinations in a studydesigned to evaluate the effect of these drugs in angina pectoris.Five patients developed ventricular tachycardia when receivingeither lidoflazine or lidoflazine and propranolol in combination;one of these patients died. In addition, one patient died suddenlywhile being treated with propranolol alone. Lidoflazine therapywas associated with a significant prolongation of the QT intervalof the electrocardiogram. Lidoflazine either alone or in combinationwith propranolol, appears to induce ventricular tachycardia.