title: [The efficacy of propafenone in preventing recurrent auricular fibrillation and flutter].
abstract: In order to investigate the efficacy of propafenone in the prevention of paroxysmal flutter or fibrillation, we treated 21 patients without left ventricular disfunction. Age was 60 +/- 14 (mean +/- sd) years, left atrial diameter by echocardiography 37 +/- 7 mm, cardiothoracic index 0.48 +/- 0.05 (0.41-0.57) and P wave duration 100 +/- 17 ms. The frequency of recurrences before treatment was: daily in five (23%), weekly or more in eight (38%), monthly-weekly in seven (33%) and quarterly-monthly in one (5%). Propafenone (671 +/- 187 mg/24 h) was given after recurrences were demonstrated under treatment with 1-3 antiarrhythmic drugs per patient. During 8.9 +/- 3.5 months of follow-up (range 6-19) 5 patients (23%) were completely free of recurrences; in seven (33%) the incidence decreased by greater than 50% with a marked decrease in duration. Side effects appeared in 12 cases (57%), leading to its discontinuation in four (19%). Arrhythmogenic effects were observed in 2 cases (9%). Propafenone is effective in greater than 50% of patients with paroxysmal atrial flutter or fibrillation, resistant to other antiarrhythmic agents. The incidence of side effects is high, but they are usually not severe and reversible.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Central de la Cruz Roja, Madrid.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: López Gil
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Karoni
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Reinoso
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Márquez
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: García-Cosío
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001282:Atrial Flutter / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011405:Propafenone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D012008:Recurrence; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011405:Propafenone
vernacular_title: Eficacia de la propafenona en la prevención de fibrilación y flúter auricular recurrente.