Annales de cardiologie et d'angéiologie
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Ann Cardiol Angeiol (Paris) · Apr 1993
[Intravenous and oral propafenone in the treatment and prevention of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation].
The efficacy of propafenone in the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was investigated in 16 patients presenting with frequent and/or poorly tolerated paroxysmal atrial fibrillation despite prophylactic treatment in 13 patients. Prolonged atrial fibrillation (> 10 minutes) was triggered in 16 patients following a standard atrial stimulation protocol. Intravenous injection of propafenone (2 mg/kg over 5 minutes) restored sinus rhythm in 12 patients (75%) within 15 minutes after the end of the injection. ⋯ Three patients suffered side effects which did not make it necessary to stop treatment. This study suggests that intravenous propafenone is effective against persistent atrial fibrillation induced by stimulation. Oral propafenone may be useful for the prevention of attacks of recalcitrant paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.