Clinical and experimental pharmacology & physiology
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Clin. Exp. Pharmacol. Physiol. · May 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialComparison of digoxin versus low-dose amiodarone for ventricular rate control in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation.
1. Rapid ventricular rate (VR) and rhythm irregularity during atrial fibrillation (AF) impair cardiac performance. Although digoxin has been widely used in patients with AF, its efficacy for the control of VR and rhythm irregularity is unsatisfactory. ⋯ Quality of life, determined by SF-36 questionnaire, and AF symptomatology, as measured by the AF Symptom Checklist, were also not significantly changed after treatment with digoxin or amiodarone (all P > 0.05). 6. In conclusion, digoxin and low-dose amiodarone had similar efficacy in the control of VR during ambulatory activity and exercise. However, both were less efficacious during exercise and did not significantly affect rhythm irregularity, exercise capacity, quality of life and AF symptomatology in patients with chronic AF.