Propafenone in the prevention of non-ventricular arrhythmias associated with the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome

Abstract

The antiarrhythmic effect of oral propafenone was evaluated in 10 patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome presenting with non-ventricular arrhythmias (paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia n = 7, atrial fibrillation or flutter n = 3). The mean age was 38 +/- 13 years, the dose varied from 300 to 900 mg three times a day (mean 450 +/- 188) and the mean follow-up period was 7 +/- 3.5 months. All patients' drug responses were assessed on 12-lead electrocardiograms and 24-hour ambulatory Holter monitoring. Electrophysiologic studies were performed in cases of sustained tachycardia while echocardiography identified 2 cases with mitral valve prolapse. Four of 10 (40%) patients became asymptomatic on a starting propafenone dose of 300 mg, while 6 (60%) had recurrences necessitating an increase in dose for the complete control of the symptoms. We observed a slight slowing of the heart rate and an increase of the mean Q-T interval (P less than 0.001). Three patients reported minor side effects including nausea, dizziness and constipation that were tolerable and dosage dependent. It is concluded that propafenone is an effective and well tolerated drug for the treatment of non-ventricular arrhythmias associated with the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.