Acute Management of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation with Intravenous Flecainide plus Oral Beta-Blockers

Abstract

Background: Intravenous (IV) flecainide is recommended for the pharmacological cardioversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study was to study the efficacy and safety of IV flecainide, co-administered with oral b-blockers, for the cardioversion of paroxysmal AF. Methods: Single-center registry, initiated in the “Skylitseion” General Hospital of Chios in January 2020. The main inclusion criterion was IV flecainide administration plus oral b-blocker for recent-onset AF (≤48 h). The primary outcome was conversion to sinus rhythm at 2 h. Results: A total of 121 (73 males and 48 females, with mean age 61.4 years) consecutive, unselected patients who complied with the study protocol were included. A successful conversion to sinus rhythm at 2 h was achieved in 99 patients (success rate: 81.8%). The median conversion time was 11.7 min (varied from 3 to 23 min). Duration of hospitalization was significantly shorter in patients who were successfully cardioverted with IV flecainide (10.9 vs. 30.7 h, p < 0.001). No serious adverse events were recorded. Conclusion: This is one of the largest registries worldwide, evaluating the effectiveness and safety of IV flecainide co-administered with a b-blocker in the acute management of recent-onset AF. The successful conversion rate at 2 h is very high and quick with no serious adverse events.

Keywords

• flecainide
• b-blocker
• atrial fibrillation
• paroxysmal
• cardioversion