Comparision of Propafenone and Amiodarone in the Treatment and Prevention of Aroxysmal Artial Fribrillation

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of propafenone and amiodarone in treating and preventing paroxysmal atrial fibrillation(PAF).Methods 80 patiens with atrial fibrillation were divided into propafenone group(n=32),amiodarone group(n=28) and placebo group(n=20) randomly.Each was treated for more than 3 moths.Results Within 48 hours after treatment the recovery rates in propafenone group,amiodarone group and placebo group were 72.7%,42.1% and 23.1%,respectively.The response rate of propafenone group was higher than that of the other two groups(P0.05).The follow-up period was 21.6±8.0 months,and the total response rates were 62.5%,71.4% and 15.0%,respectively.No significant difference was found between the propafenone group and amiodarone group,but the rate in the two groups was much higher that in the placebo group(P0.01).After more than 12 months' follow-up,the response rate of amiodarone group was superior to the propafenone group(P0.05).The occurrence rates of adverse reactions in the propafenone group and amiodarone group were 18.8% and 17.9% respectively,there was no significant difference(P0.05).No serious side-effects or arrhythmia were found.Conclusion Both drugs were effective and relatively safe in the treatment and prevention of the relapse of PAF.The efficacy of amiodarone is lower in short-term recovery but higher in long-term prevention of recurrence.