Conversion from intravenous procainamide to oral sustained release tablets in cardiac patients.
Kaliner Ml, Babich Mf, Klinke Wp
1990
Citations
0
Citations
Quality indicators
Journal
Canadian Journal of Cardiology
Semantic Scholar
Key Takeaway Key Takeaway: Conversion from intravenous to oral sustained release procainamide in cardiac patients is an acceptable method, with no compromise in serum procainamide concentrations and good patient tolerance.
Abstract
There is as yet no established method for converting from intravenous to oral sustained release procainamide (Procan SR; Parke-Davis Canada Inc). The pharmacokinetics of simultaneous discontinuation of intravenous procainamide and administration of oral sustained release procainamide was studied in six patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Patients were converted after ensuring that steady-state concentrations were achieved with intravenous procainamide. Serum procainamide levels were obtained at the time of conversion and 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 6.0 h after conversion. The mean steady-state concentration (23.7 +/- 8.9 mumols/L) and the adjusted mean serum procainamide concentration with Procan SR (25.3 +/- 7.9 mumols/L) were not significantly different. This indicated that the serum procainamide concentration obtained with the intravenous infusion was not compromised when the patients were switched to oral therapy. Although mean percentage serum procainamide concentration fluctuation was 102.6 +/- 92.5, all patients tolerated the conversion well. Therefore, the method used in this study is an acceptable method of conversion.