Antiarrhythmic agents may increase capture threshold, but this is rarely of clinical significance. Flecainide acetate, a class IC agent, is reported to have a significant effect on the myocardial capture threshold. In this presentation, we report the case of a 72-year-old male, with a previously implanted VVI pacemaker due to sick sinus syndrome, who was treated with flecainide acetate for paroxysmal atrial arrhythmia control. During the fifteenth day of treatment, an abrupt rise in the ventricular capture threshold with ventricular pacing failure was noted. The capture threshold decreased two days after discontinuation of flecainide acetate.
Ventricular Function/*drug effects ; *Pacemaker, Artificial ; Male ; Humans ; Flecainide/*adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Electrocardiography ; Atrial Flutter/drug therapy ; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents/*adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Aged ; Action Potentials/*drug effects