Propafenone in complex anti-recurrent therapy of persistent atrial fibrillation

Effectiveness and safety of Class IC antiarrhythmic agent, propafenone (Propanorm, PRO.MED.CS Praha a.s., Czech Republic), was studied inpatients with persistent atrial fibrillation (PAF) after sinus rhythm conversion, during long-term ant-recurrent treatment. The study included 30 men and women; mean age 57,97 +/- 1,2 years. PAF was caused by essential arterial hypertension, or its combination with stable coronary heart disease. To treat PAF paroxysms, propanorm was administered in the loading dose of 600 mg, continued by anti-recurrent therapy (450 mg/d for 12 months). All participants also received ACE inhibitor lisinopril (Dapril, PRO.MED.CS Praha a.s., Czech Republic). During anti-recurrent propanorm therapy (450 mg/d), no recurrent AF paroxysms were registered in 63,3% of the patients; paroxysm frequency reduced in 23,3 paroxysms remained frequent in 13,3%. No adverse events were registered. Twelve-month propanorm and dapril treatment was associated with significant improvements in intracardiac hemodynamics and chronic heart failure functional class, as early as by Month 6.