The American journal of cardiology
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Efficacy and safety of intravenous diltiazem for treatment of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. The Diltiazem-Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter Study Group.
This study evaluates the effectiveness and safety of intravenous diltiazem for the treatment of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. A double-blind, parallel, randomized, placebo-controlled protocol was used, and 6 large, urban hospitals, both university-affiliated and private, participated. The study involved 113 patients with atrial fibrillation or flutter, a ventricular rate greater than or equal to 120 beats/min and systolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg without severe heart failure. ⋯ Thus, intravenous diltiazem was rapidly effective for slowing the ventricular response in most patients with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. Blood pressure decreased slightly. Side effects were mild.