CARDIOVASCULAR EFFECTS OF N-ETHYL PERHEXILINE MALEATE IN ANIMALS

N-ethyl perhexiline maleate (1,1-dicyclohexyl-2(N-ethyl) pyridinyl ethane maleate, NEP) is a derivative of perhexiline maleate (Per). NEP was demonstrated to produce more potent inhibiting effects than Per in a series of experimental arrhythmia models induced by BaCl₂, CaCl₂, aconitine and ouabain. Its negative chronotropic action, negative automaticity action and negative conduction action may be the pharmacological basis for antiarrhythmia. In anesthetized open-chest dogs, NEP (4 mg/kg ⅳ)significantly decreased blood pressure (—20.1%), heart rate (—26.5%), myocardium oxygen consumption (—53.6%) and coronary resistance (—19.1%). It appears that NEP may have an anti-ischemia effect on the heart.