Treatment of procaine amide intoxication

Blockade of cardiac sodium channels. Competition between the permeant ion and antiarrhythmic drugs.

“…f3-Adrenergic blockade or the use of adrenoceptive agonist have their advocates (46). The initial reports ofthe use ofsodium salts involve the use ofthe lactate or bicarbonate salt (6,7). The case for the action of sodium ions per se is now established.…”

“…Cardiac arrhythmias with marked QRS widening also are important signs of toxicity with certain psychotrophic drugs such as the tricyclic antidepressants and the phenothiazines (3,4). A number of case reports and experimental studies suggest that these drug-induced arrhythmias may be reversed partially by the administration of Na lactate, Na bicarbonate, Na sulfate, or Na chloride (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14). The underlying mechanisms of arrhythmia reversal by these Na salts are not clear.…”