Introduction: Azimilide (NE-10064) has antiarrhythmic and antifibrillatory effects in canine models of ventricular arrhythmia. The goal of the present study was to examine the effects of azimilide on action potential and membrane currents of canine ventricular myocytes.
Methods and results: Membrane voltage and current were recorded using the whole cell, patch clamp method. Azimilide at 1 microM induced a consistent prolongation of action potential duration (APD): on average APD90 was prolonged by 25% and 17% at stimulation rates of 0.33 and 1 Hz, respectively. Elevating the drug concentration to 5 microM induced APD prolongation in some cells but APD shortening in the others at 0.33 Hz, and a consistent APD shortening at 1 Hz. Azimilide suppressed the following currents (Kd in parenthesis): IKr (< 1 microM at -20 mV), IKs (1.8 microM at +30 mV), L-type Ca current (17.8 microM at +10 mV), and Na current (19 microM at -40 mV). Azimilide was a weak blocker of the transient outward and inward rectifier currents (Kd > or = 50 microM at +50 and -140 mV, respectively). Azimilide blocked IKr, IKs, and INa in a use-dependent manner. Furthermore, azimilide reduced a slowly inactivating component of Na current that might be important for maintaining the action potential plateau in canine ventricular myocytes.
Conclusion: Azimilide has variable effects on APD in canine ventricular myocytes due to its blocking effects on multiple currents with different potencies. Its Class III antiarrhythmic action is most likely seen at low concentrations (< 5 microM).