The response of arrhythmias and tachycardias of supraventricular origin to oral procaine amide.

The introduction of procaine amide for the control of cardiac arrhythmias in man has been recent (Mark et al., 1950). There are relatively few reports at present concerned with it. Those published have dealt chiefly with the use of the preparations of the drug given by intravenous injection and have emphasized its value in arrhythmias of ventricular origin (Mark et al., 1950; Joseph et al., 1951; Garlett et al., 1951; Kinsman et al., 1951; Miller et al., 1951; Kayden et al., 1951; and Stearns and Callahan, 1951). Thus, it has been stated that procaine amide is of value in ventricular arrhythmias but that its effect " on auricular function appears to be minimal" (Joseph et al., 1951). With the advent of the preparation for use by mouth,* a study of the action of orally administered procaine amide upon supraventricular disturbances of the heart beat was undertaken.