title: [Clinical efficacy of irbesartan and amiodarone in elderly patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of combination of irbesartan and amiodarone in elderly patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-one patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation were randomly divided into 2 groups: Group I (amiodarone group, n=45) and Group II (amiodarone plus Irbesartan group, n=46).After 18 month follow-up, the maintenance rate of sinus rhythm was measured in the 3rd, 6th, 9th, 12th, and 18th months, and the left atrial diameter (LAD) was measured before the treatment and 6th, 12th, and 18th months after the treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no difference in the maintenance rate of sinus rhythm between Group I and Group II in the 3rd month. The maintenance rate of sinus rhythm in Group I was 72.1%, 65.1%, 60.5%, and 55.8% in the 6th, 9th, 12th, and 18th months, and the rate in the Group II was 88.6%, 86.4%, 81.8%, and 79.5%. They both had significant difference (P<0.05). At 12 months after the treatment, LAD in Group I was significantly larger than that of Group II (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combination of irbesartan and amiodarone is more effective than amiodarone alone for sinus rhythm maintenance, and may restrain the enlargement of the left atrium.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Jiaozuo Second Hospital in Henan, Jiaozuo Henan 454001, China. jiaozuo1917@126.com
authors.forename: Dao-jun
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Chun-yan
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Mu
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.forename: Ri-bo
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000638:Amiodarone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077405:Irbesartan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D013777:Tetrazoles; D000077405:Irbesartan; D000638:Amiodarone