title: Conversion of recent onset atrial fibrillation with single loading oral dose of propafenone: is in-hospital admission absolutely necessary?
abstract: A population of 283 patients with recent onset (< 72 hours) AF, without heart failure, who received a single 450- or 600-mg oral dose of propafenone, or digoxin 1 mg, or placebo for conversion to sinus rhythm (SR), was studied to determine whether a routine admission to the hospital for drug administration is justified. Previous bradyarrhythmias or sick sinus syndrome (SSS), and concomitant use of antiarrhythmic drugs were exclusion criteria. None of the 283 patients studied experienced VT or VF and none of them needed implantation of a temporary pacemaker. Periods of atrial tachyarrhythmias with regularization of atrial waves and 1:1 AV conduction were observed in only two cases, both receiving placebo. No predictor of proarrhythmia was found among the clinical variables considered (age, etiology, arrhythmia duration, atrial dimension, and blood potassium). No serious hemodynamic adverse effects were noted in either group. The rates of conversion to SR after 4 hours were: 80 (57%) of 141 patients who received propafenone and 35 (25%) of 142 patients who received digoxin or placebo (P < 0.001). Acute oral treatment with propafenone is simple and effective for the conversion of recent onset AF to SR in patients without clinical signs of heart failure. The routine admission of these patients to the hospital is not necessary. Home-based administration of oral propafenone to a selected group of patients could significantly increase the cost effectiveness of this treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, St. Anna Hospital, Como, Italy.
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Botto
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bonini
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Broffoni
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Molteni
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lombardi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Alfieri
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Barone
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bernasconi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ferrari
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000367:Age Factors; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016275:Atrial Function; D001283:Atrioventricular Node / Q000503:physiopathology; D001919:Bradycardia; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004077:Digoxin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006339:Heart Rate; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D010343:Patient Admission; D010919:Placebos; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D011405:Propafenone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012804:Sick Sinus Syndrome; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000517:prevention & control; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D010919:Placebos; D011405:Propafenone; D004077:Digoxin; D011188:Potassium