Researchers report that experimental nasal sprays can help treat common rapid heart rate disorders.

A spray called Etripamil was tested in paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) patients. PSVT affects approximately 500,000 Americans and results in more than 50,000 hospital admissions each year in the United States.

"This study introduces a completely novel treatment that has never been used and has the potential to change the way we treat patients with PSVT. He is the heart of the Piedmont Heart Institute in Atlanta Electrophysiologist.

Currently, no treatment for PSVT allows patients to use it at home or to respond on their own without medical supervision. Researchers say patients often receive adenosine, calcium channel blockers, or beta blockers, and these drugs must be given intravenously in a hospital or other monitoring environment.

Phase II trials included more than 100 patients from the United States and Canada. Researchers said that among patients receiving a 70 milligram (mg) nasal spray dose, 87% of patients quickly controlled their heart rate within 15 minutes, 75% of patients received a dose of 105 mg; 95% of patients received 140 mg The dose.

In contrast, only 35% of patients who controlled their heart rate received a placebo.

According to research published Thursday at the Heart Rhythm Society's annual meeting in Chicago, the most common side effect of the spray is temporary nasal congestion or irritation.

"Many patients with PSVT can have emergencies anytime, anywhere. This rapid nasal spray treatment allows patients to self-treat easily without going to the hospital, no matter where they are," Stambler said at a press conference. Until published in a peer-reviewed medical journal, the research presented at the conference should be considered preliminary.