title: [Evaluation of the anti-arrhythmic action of propafenone treatment and its influence on left ventricular function].
abstract: Twelve patients (9 males, 3 females, mean age 59.2 +/- 7.0 years) with hyperkinetic ventricular arrhythmias were treated for 30 days with 150 mg propafenone three times daily; the daily dosage was raised to 900 mg in non responders (< 85% reduction of ectopic ventricular beats/h). A 24-hour ECGD and mono- and bidimensional echocardiography were carried out at baseline, after 30 days on 450 mg, 30 days on 900 mg propafenone, and one week after drug withdrawal. Propafenone treatment was found to reduce significantly ectopic ventricular beats, especially with the higher dosage (44.9% reduction under 450 mg; 88.8% reduction under 900 mg). At the lower dosage, 25% of patients responded, under the higher dosage 88.9%; the latter dosage also induced a significant reduction of Lown class. Propafenone treatment was also accompanied by a reduction of maximum and mean heart rate, and by a lengthened PR interval which was almost always within the normal range, without changes of QTc. The two months of propafenone treatment did not induce significant changes of cardiac volume or left ventricular function; on the contrary, at the end of the treatment period an increase, albeit not a significant one, of the ejection fraction and a shortening of the circumference inversely proportional to the reduction in ectopic ventricular beats could be noted. In conclusion, propafenone was found to have a valid antiarrhythmic effect, especially at the 900 mg/day dosage without interfering with left ventricular function which was even found to improve under chronic treatment, probably as a result of improved compliance thanks to the reduction of ventricular ectopic beats.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Medicina Interna, Università degli Studi di Messina.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saitta
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bonaiuto
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mileto
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oriti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cinquegrani
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giordano
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fodale
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saitta
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Squadrito
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011405:Propafenone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D011405:Propafenone
vernacular_title: Valutazione dell'azione antiaritmica di un trattamento con propafenone e sua influenza sulla funzione ventricolare sinistra.