Effect of oral cordarone in reversing persistent atrial fibrillation].

To observe the efficacy and safety of oral cordarone dir reversing persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS; Eighty-two symptomatic chronic AF out-patients without history of acute diseases or severe hepatic/thyroid dysfunction were given oral cordarone at the loading dose of 200 mg thrice a day for 1-4 weeks followed by a twice-daily administration for another 1-4 weeks, with the maintenance dose of 200 or 100 mg once a day. The incidence of stroke and cardiac events and the mortality rate were compared between 43 patients with restored rhythm on cordarone and 39 patients on digoxin and/or betaloc for ventricular rhythm control. Among the 82 patients, sinus rhythm restoration was achieved in 43, with a successful rate of 52%. In 18 patients, the ejection fraction increased from (32+/-8)% to (46+/-10)%, left atrium diameter decreased from (4.6+/-1.1) cm to (4.1+/-0.8) cm. Except for slight T4 increase, QT prolongation and bradycardia in 3 cases, severe side effects were not observed in this study. Only one patient with restored sinus rhythm required rehospitalization after half a year for worsened heart failure, but in patients with controlled ventricular rhythm, 1 developed stroke, 1 experienced heart attack and 1 died of heart failure with bleeding. For patients with symptomatic reversible persistent AF, active treatment with cordarone can be convenient, effective and safe for sinus rhythm restoration.

Citation

Fu Zhao, Shao-xian Feng, Ping Zhao, Hong Ma. Effect of oral cordarone in reversing persistent atrial fibrillation]. Nan fang yi ke da xue xue bao = Journal of Southern Medical University. 2006 Apr;26(4):521-2

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PMID: 16624772

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