CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS ON PROPAFENONE IN THE TREATMENT OF CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIA

Forty cases of tachyarrhythmia received propafenone as the sole remedy. 5 cases of ventricular tachyarrhythmia, 8 of supraventricular tachyarrhythmia (3 of them associated with the WPW syndrome), 1 of atrial fibrillation and 1 of atrial nutter received the drug intravenously. Total dose, 17.5-280mg (most of them taking 70 mg). 60% of these 15 cases had their arrhythmias completely controlled while in 20%, there was partial supression. 9 cases with ventricular arrhythmias and 18 with supraventricular arrhythmias (8 of them had persistent atrial fibrillation), received the drug (300-800 mg/d) orally. 48% of these 25 cases had their arrhythmias completely controlled while in 20% it was partially suppressed. 9 cases developed adverse reactions, mainly vertigo or headache. All of these symptoms proved to be mild, transient and dose-related. Among those receiving the drug intravenously, 3 cases with cardiac enlargement developed temporary hypotension. ECG occasionally showed some conduction abnormalities. Results we obtained could well verify that propafenone is an effective remedy for ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias especially for those with the WPW syndrome. Conversion of atrial fibrillation, may also be successful occasionally.