[Effects of disopyramide on normal and pathological atrioventricular conduction].

Disopyramide is a Vaughan-Williams class Ia antiarrhythmic, which is distinguished by its anticholinergic activity, which is due to its active metabolite: mono-N-alkyl disopyramide. In cells with a rapid response, such as those in the His-Purkinje tissue, it depresses conduction. In slow-responding cells (sinus node and Tawara's node) direct depression of conduction and automatism, and anticholinergic stimulation have opposing effects. In terms of clinical electrophysiology, this is a Touboul class IIa compound: and action mainly on the His-Purkinje system involving extension of the conduction time and of the refractory time. Nodal conduction is improved according to measurement of the alternate Wenckebach; according to studies of the denervated heart in transplanted patients, there is a depressant effect on automatism and conduction at all levels, but the vagolytic effect corrects this activity at Tawara's node. Clinical trials have demonstrated the absence of any deterioration, and in some cases and actual improvement of nodal conduction disorders in response to disopyramide and good safety in the presence of non-major intraventricular conduction problems (such as bundle branch block). In practice, these properties mean that moderate nodal conductive disorders and simple bundle branch block do not constitute an obstacle to the use of disopyramide. In junctional tachycardia, it is particularly indicated for use in tachycardia involving an accessory pathway, but is also effective in intranodal tachycardia due to its twofold action.