title: Conversion of recent onset atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm using a single oral loading dose of propafenone: comparison of two regimens.
abstract: A population of 105 patients with recent onset (< 72 h) atrial fibrillation was randomly treated with propafenone as a single oral loading dose of 450 mg (Regimen A) or 600 mg (Regimen B) or with placebo. A 24-h Holter was performed. Criteria of efficacy were conversion to sinus rhythm at 2, 4 and 8 h compared to placebo and also significant reduction of mean ventricular rate in persistent atrial fibrillation. After 2 h, regimen B was more effective than either regimen A (43% vs. 8%; p = 0.001) or placebo (11%; p = 0.004). At 4 h, both the active treatments were more effective than placebo (17% vs. 46% regimen A and 57% vs. regimen B; p < 0.04 and p < 0.001, respectively). Sinus rhythm resumed within 24 h in 71%, 80% and 69% of the patients with regimen A, B and placebo, respectively (p = not significant). The mean ventricular rate reduction after 1 h was 8%, 11% and 4% for regimen A, B and placebo, respectively (p < 0.005 vs. regimen B), and 17%, 25% and 6% respectively (p < 0.001 placebo vs. regimen A and B, p < 0.05 regimen B vs. A) at 2 h. No major adverse effect occurred. Atrial flutter with 1:1 atrioventricular conduction only in one case who received placebo. Propafenone acute oral administration is more effective than placebo in rapidly converting recent-onset atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm and may be the treatment of choice in this setting limiting hospitalization and contributing to improved quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, St Anna Hospital, Como, Italy.
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Botto
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Capucci
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bonini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Boriani
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Broffoni
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Barone
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Espureo
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lombardi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Molteni
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ferrari
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015716:Electrocardiography, Ambulatory; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011405:Propafenone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016037:Single-Blind Method
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D011405:Propafenone