title: [Comparison of the efficacy of propafenone and hydroquinidine in stabilized extrasystolic ventricular arrhythmia by means of dynamic electrocardiographic Holter monitoring].
abstract: The aim of our study has been to evaluate the efficacy of Propafenon by a reliable experimental method. We have compared the efficacy of Propafenon (300 mg three times daily) with that of Dihydroquinidine Chloride at an elevated dose (300 mg six times daily). Twelve patients, with chronic arrhythmia (at least 1500 premature ventricular beats - PVBs - during a preliminary 24-hour dynamic electrocardiographic Holter monitoring), have been studied. The study has been performed in a double-blind cross-over fashion, and the drugs were administered according to a randomized sequence by the double dummy technique for 4 days. Placebo administration periods of similar duration were established before, after and between the two periods of drug administration. At the end of each Propafenon Dihydroquinidine Chloride and Placebo administration period a 48-hour Holter monitoring was performed. The number of PVBs/hour measured during the 3 periods of Placebo administration (714 +/- 418, 804 +/- 422, 779 +/- 433 respectively) confirmed the chronic nature of the ventricular arrhythmia and the absence of spontaneous variations during the study. Treatment with Propafenon and Dihydroquinidine Chloride significantly reduced the number of PVBs/hour to 87 +/- 130 and to 216 +/- 453 respectively. The reduction observed during Propafenon administration was more than observed during Dihydroquinidine Chloride administration, but it was not statistically significant because of the different behaviour of the individual patients. All patients but one had an over 65% reduction of PVBs/h; only 8/12 patients showed a reduction greater than 65% during Dihydroquinidine Chloride administration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005117:Cardiac Complexes, Premature / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011405:Propafenone; D011427:Propiophenones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011802:Quinidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D011427:Propiophenones; D011405:Propafenone; C014486:hydroquinidine; D011802:Quinidine
vernacular_title: Confronto dell'efficacia del propafenone e dell'idrochinidina nella aritmia extrasistolica ventricolare stabilizzata mediante monitoraggio elettrocardiografico dinamico secondo Holter.