Comparative study on propafenone and sotalol in paroxysmal rapid atrial fibrillation in non-rheumatic patient

Objective To evaluate effects of propafenone and sotalol in paroxysmal rapid fibrillation in non-rheumatic patients. Methods Sixty patients with rapid atrial fibrillation between 0. 5 and 72 hours were randomly divided into two groups, treated with intravenous propafenone 70-210 mg and sotalol 1. 5 mg/kg respectively. Rhythms and heart rate were monitered. Results The effective rate of cardioversion for rapid atrial fibrillation was significantly highter in propafenone group (78. 1%)than in sotalol group (39. 3%)(P0. 05). The heart rate in the patients without cardioversion was decreased more in sotalol group(36%) than that in propafenone group (5. 2%)(P0. 05). While the mean time responding to the bolus was (46. 5 ± 38. 2) and (23. 9 ± 11. 5) minutes. Conclusion Propafenone is more effective than sotalol in reverting rapid atrial fibrillation. However,sotalol is more effective than propafenone in controlling rapid atrial fibrillation.