[Indications and risks of anti-arrhythmia treatment with propafenone (author's transl)]

Propafenone, a new anti-arrhythmia drug, was given at an average dose of 70-140 mg (1-2 mg/kg body-weight) to 124 patients with various types of cardiac arrhythmias. It proved successful in patients with ectopic beats and tachycardias of atrial or ventricular origin. Ectopic beats were suppressed in 40 of 81 patients, while sinus rhythm was restored in 15 of 19 patients with paroxysmal tachycardias. On the other hand, sinus rhythm was restored in only 5 of 22 patients with atrial tachy-arrhythmias, while in most of the others in this group the heart rate decreased markedly during propafenone injection. The effect of propafenone was on atrial and ventricular myocardium and on the conduction system, lowering the discharge rate of sinus node and ectopic pacemakers. ECG signs of pre-excitation disappeared in 4 of 9 patients with WPW syndrome given the drug. Propafenone may prolong atrioventricular and intraventricular conduction, as well as cause a transitory decrease in cardiac function and a fall in systemic arterial blood pressure. It should, therefore, not be given to patients in severe heart failure, hypotension or shock, or with high-degree atrioventricular, intraventricular or sinoatrial block.