The aim of this thesis is to discuss the most commonly used drugs for the management of cardiac arrhythmias collectively known as antiarrhythmic agents. We will discuss the classifications of anti-arrhythmic drugs, indications, contraindications and adverse effects of administering antiarrhythmic drugs that may develop.

The ultimate goal of antiarrhythmic drug therapy is to restore normal rhythm and conduction. When it is not possible to revert to normal sinus rhythm, drugs may be used to prevent more serious and possibly lethal arrhythmias from occurring. Antiarrhythmic drugs are used to decrease or increase conduction velocity, alter the excitability of cardiac cells by changing the duration of the effective refractory period suppress abnormal automaticity. All antiarrhythmic drugs directly or indirectly alter membrane ion conductance, which in turn alters the physical characteristics of cardiac action potentials. For example, some drugs are used to block fast sodium channels. These channels determine how fast the membrane depolarizes (phase 0) during an action potential. Since conduction velocity is related to how fast the membrane depolarizes, sodium channel blockers reduce conduction velocity.