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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2022 May-Jun;74(3):212-217.
doi: 10.1016/j.ihj.2022.04.006. Epub 2022 Apr 19.

Efficacy and speed of conversion of recent onset atrial fibrillation using oral propafenone versus parenteral amiodarone: A randomized controlled comparative study

Hesham S Taha  1 , Ghada Youssef  2 , Ramy M Omar  3 , Ahmed M Kamal El Din  4 , Ahmed A Shams El Din  5 , Marwa S Meshaal  6
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Efficacy and speed of conversion of recent onset atrial fibrillation using oral propafenone versus parenteral amiodarone: A randomized controlled comparative study

Hesham S Taha et al. Indian Heart J. 2022 May-Jun.

Abstract

Background: Atrial fibrillation is the most commonly encountered arrhythmia. Several antiarrhythmic agents are effective in restoring and maintaining sinus rhythm.

Aim of the work: To compare the efficacy and rapidity of conversion of recent onset atrial fibrillation using oral propafenone versus intravenous infusion of amiodarone.

Methods: The study included 200 patients with recent onset atrial fibrillation. Patients were equally divided into 2 groups; group A where intravenous infusion amiodarone was given and group B where oral propafenone was administrated. The effectiveness and the time needed for conversion of atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm were compared in both groups.

Results: The success of conversion of atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm was 83% in group A and 85% in group B, p-value = 0.699. The time elapsed from drug administration till conversion of atrial fibrillation was 9.07 ± 5.04 hours in group A versus 3.9 ± 1.54 hours in group B, p-value = 0.001. In both groups, patients who showed failed conversion had a significantly larger left atrial diameter and a significantly higher high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) level.

Conclusion: Oral propafenone was faster than parenteral amiodarone in the conversion of recent onset atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm. Patients with failed conversion had a bigger left atrial diameter and a higher hsCRP when compared to patients with successful conversion.

Keywords: Amiodarone; Atrial fibrillation; Propafenone.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of competing interest Authors have nothing to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The percentage of success of conversion to sinus rhythm in both groups, the overall success in all patients and the success in patients with HTN and patients with DM. p value was considered significant at a level <0.05.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The duration from drug administration till conversion to sinus rhythm in both groups.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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