Propafenone and amiodarone efficacy in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation treatment

Abstract

To assess antiarrhythmic efficacy of propafenone and amiodarone in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) treatment, 204 patients (125 males, 79 females, aged 57-72 years) with various stages of heart failure (HF) were examined. Group I (HF of 0-I Functional Class, FC; n = 72) received propafenone (Propanorm, PRO. MED. CS Praha): load dose 600 mgper os, plus 300 mg 12 hours later. Group II (HFof II-III FC; n = 132) received amiodarone, 1200 mgper os, 450 mg intravenously, then - according to standard scheme. Propafenone terminated AF paroxysm in 83, 3 % of cases, amiodarone - in 78, 6 %. Inpatients without severe structural and functional myocardial changes and HF of 0-I FC, propafenone was most effective during the first 24 hours (70,8 %). In patients with severe structural myocardial changes and HF of II-III FC, maximal number of patients with rhythm restored by amiodarone was registered after 7 days of the treatment. Propafenone didn't cause any adverse hemodynamic effects inpatients with HF ofl FC. Propafenone and amiodarone combination potentiated antiarrhythmic effects in AF.

Keywords

• paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
• heart failure
• treatment efficacy
• propafenone
• amiodarone