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Effects of Class IV Antiarrhythmics

Class IV antiarrhythmic drugsincluding such calcium channel blockers as verapamil and diltiazemaffect the cardiac cycle in specific ways and may lead to the ECG change shown here. Class IV antiarrhythmics

  • block calcium movement during phase 2
  • prolong the conduction time and increase the refractory period in the AV node
  • decrease contractility.