title: Oral carvedilol in escalating doses in the acute treatment of atrial fibrillation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the efficacy of oral carvedilol in acute treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) with fast ventricular rate.
  
  
  METHODS
  In an open-label, single-arm trial, oral carvedilol was administered to 35 patients of AF in escalating doses from 3.125 mg o.d. to 12.5 mg b.i.d.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A successful result was seen in 25 patients (71.4%) with 4 converting to sinus rhythm, rate control to less than 90 bpm in 16 and a 20% rate reduction in 5 patients. Two patients developed hypotension needing withdrawal of the drug.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Escalating doses of oral carvedilol can be effectively and safely used in the acute treatment of AF with fast ventricular rate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Andhra Medical College, King George Hospital, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Ravi Venkatachelam
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Chitrapu
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Andhra Medical College, King George Hospital, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Pentakota Ramana
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Andhra Medical College, King George Hospital, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Gangireddy Venkateswara
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Reddy
keywords: Acute treatment; atrial fibrillation; carvedilol; oral tablet; rate control