title: A comparison of verapamil and digoxin for heart rate control in atrial fibrillation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common types of sustained dysrhythmia and there are some disagreements about its treatment. The goals of AF treatment include the control of ventricular rate, the establishment of sinus rhythm and the prevention of thromboembolic events. In this study, the effect of verapamil was compared to digoxin on heart rate control in patients with AF.
  
  
  METHODS
  This descriptive study was conducted in an emergency department (ED) in Iran. Sixty patients with a new onset AF and rapid ventricular response receiving digoxin or verapamil were included and observed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two thirty-patient groups receiving verapamil or digoxin were evaluated. The heart rate was significantly decreased in both groups (p = 0.002); however, the cardioversion was not noticed in both of them. The best rate control in verapamil and digoxin groups was observed after 5.9 mg (46.7%) and 0.6 mg (36.7%), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Administration of verapamil in comparison with digoxin has no difference to control the heart rate in AF patients. It should be taken into consideration that prospective randomized studies should be conducted to identify the efficacy and select the best of these two drugs to treat AF patients.
authors: Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Afzali Moghadam
authors: Maryam
authors: M
authors: Fadaie Dashti
authors: Kavous
authors: K
authors: Shahsavarinia
authors: Ata
authors: A
authors: Mahmoodpoor
authors: Kazem
authors: K
authors: Jamali
keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Digoxin; Treatment; Verapamil