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Effects of Class Ib Antiarrhythmics

Class Ib antiarrhythmic drugssuch as lidocaine, tocainide, and mexiletinemay affect the QRS complexes, as shown on the rhythm strip below. These drugs

  • block sodium influx during phase 0, which depresses the rate of depolarization
  • shorten repolarization and the duration of the action potential
  • suppress ventricular automaticity in ischemic tissue.