Efficacy of diltiazem combined with cedilanid intravenously for ventricular rate control in atrial fibrillation.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of diltiazem combined with cedilanid vs diltiazem alone for ventricular rate control in patients with atrial fibrillation.Methods50 patients with atrial fibrillation and rapid ventricular rates were randomized to 2 groups,25 patients for each group,Group A was given diltiazem combined with cedilanid;group B was given diltiazem alone;Both groups were administrated with diltiazem(0.25 mg/kg,iv)and followed by continuous administration of diltiazem intravenously(10 mg/h);After 15min of observation,a second dose of diltiazem(0.25 mg/kg,iv)was given if the heart rate was still more than 100 beats per minute(bpm).In group A,the first dose of diltiazem was combined with 0.4 mg cedilanid.The successful rate control was defined as a ventricular rate 100 bpm persisting for 10 minutes.ResultsDuring the administration,the sinal rhythm was regained for 5 patients in group A,and 3 patients in group B(who were ruled out of the study).The successful heart rate control was observed in 17 patients of group A(85%)and 11 patients of group B(50%).The rate of ventricular rate control in group A was higher than that in group B(P0.05).ConclusionThe efficacy of diltiazem combined with cedilanid intravenously is better than diltiazem alone in patients with atrial fibrillation and a rapid ventricular rate.