Suppression of cardiac ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrhythmias with bretylium tosylate

Abstract

A method for suppressing cardiac ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrhythmias in animals, both human and otherwise, by administration of ortho-bromo benzyl ethyldimethylammonium p-toluene-sulfonate (bretylium tosylate). The drug may be administered prophylactically in the prevention of or in the treatment of ventricular fibrillation or cardiac arrhythmias.

I claim: 
     
       1. A method for suppressing cardiac ventricular fibrillation and cardiac ventricular arrhythmias in living beings which comprises administering bretylium tosylate to said beings in a small but effective amount at least sufficient to restore sinus rhythm. 
     
     
       2. A method according to claim 1 further characterized in that said .[.salt.]. .Iadd.bretylium tosylate .Iaddend.is administered in amounts ranging from about 5 to 50 mg. per kg. of body weight. 
     
     
       3. A method according to claim 2 further characterized in that said .[.salt.]. .Iadd.bretylium tosylate .Iaddend.is administered in emergency treatment of .Iadd.ventricular fibrillation in living beings with .Iaddend.acute coronary occlusion intravenously in aqueous solution in amounts ranging from about 20 to 50 mg. per kg. of body weight accompanied by vigorous massage to hasten circulation of said drug to the heart and overcome resistance to electrical defibrillation. 
     
     
       4. A method according to claim 2 further characterized in that said .[.salt.]. .Iadd.bretylium tosylate .Iaddend.is administered in emergency treatment of .Iadd.ventricular fibrillation in living beings with .Iaddend.acute coronary insufficiency intravenously in aqueous solution in amounts ranging from about 20 to 50 mg. per kg. of body weight accompanied by vigorous massage to hasten circulation of said drug to the heart and overcome resistance to electrical defibrillation. 
     
     
       5. A method for suppressing cardiac ventricular fibrillation and cardiac ventricular arrhythmias in living beings which comprises administering to said beings a small but effective amount at least sufficient to restore sinus rhythm of bretylium tosylate in oral dosage at time intervals ranging from about every six to eight hours to once a day. .Iadd. 6. A method for suppressing cardiac ventricular fibrillation in living beings which comprises administering bretylium tosylate to said beings in a small but effective amount at least sufficient to restore sinus rhythm. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 7. A method according to claim 6 wherein said bretylium tosylate is administered intravenously. .Iaddend..Iadd. 8. A method for suppressing cardiac ventricular arrhythmias in living beings which comprises administering bretylium tosylate to said beings in a small but effective amount at least sufficient to restore sinus rhythm. .Iaddend..Iadd. 9. A method according to claim 8 wherein said arrhythmias are ventricular tachycardia. .Iaddend..Iadd. 10. A method according to claim 8 wherein said arrhythmias are ventricular premature beats. .Iaddend..Iadd. 11. A method according to claim 8 wherein said arrhythmias are ventricular extrasystoles. .Iaddend..Iadd. 12. A method according to claim 8 wherein said arrhythmias ae atrio-ventricular dissociation. .Iaddend..Iadd. 13. A method according to claim 8 wherein said bretylium tosylate is administered intravenously. .Iaddend.