Usefulness and safety of bepridil in converting persistent atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm.
The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of bepridil (a multichannel blocker including several potassium channels) for conversion of long-lasting atrial fibrillation (AF). Bepridil restored sinus rhythm alone or in combination with aprindine in 69% of 32 patients with persistent AF lasting > or = 3 months. The time to conversion after starting bepridil was 30 +/- 12 days. An increase in fibrillation cycle length with bepridil was greater in responders (31 +/- 10%), but an increase in QTc did not differ between responders and nonresponders. Bepridil is effective and safe for terminating long-lasting persistent AF.
Fujiki
Akira
A
The Second Department of Internal Medicine, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Toyama, Japan. fujiki@ms.toyama-u.ac.jp
Tsuneda
Takayuki
T
Sugao
Masataka
M
Mizumaki
Koichi
K
Inoue
Hiroshi
H
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001073:Aprindine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015764:Bepridil / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D001073:Aprindine; D015764:Bepridil