Propafenone efficacy in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

Abstract

Efficacy and safety of class IС antiarrhythmic agent, propafenone, was investigated in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), after single-dose load and during long-term preventive treatment. The study included 20 male and female patients (mean age 53,8+2,4 years). PAF was caused by coronary heart disease (CRT)) and/or essential arterial hypertension. For terminating PAF, a single dose of propafenone, 600 mg, was used. In 75% of cases, the medication was effective. In one patient (6%), long PW, wide QRS, and sinus rhythm deceleration to 48 bpm were observed. These symptoms disappeared without any additional therapy, 4 hours after sinus rhythm being restored. All patients with restored sinus rhythm received 6-month preventive treatment with propafenone (450 mg/d). In 9 patients (60%), there were no recurrent PAF episodes, in 4 (27%) - one PAF episode was registered, in 2 (13%), with BP higher than target levels - two PAF episodes. Extra-cardiac adverse effects of propafenone were not observed. Therefore, propafenone can be regarded as an effective and safe first-line medication for treating PAF. Long-term therapy, together with antianginal and antihypertensive treatment, significantly decreased the number of recurrent arrhythmic episodes.

Keywords

• antiarrhythmics
• propafenone
• paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
• preventive therapy