Pharmacological conversion of persistent atrial fibrillation into sinus rhythm with oral pilsicainide: pilsicainide suppression trial for persistent atrial fibrillation II.Circulation journal : official journal of the Japanese Circulation Society, 2006, Volume: 70, Issue:6
The present study was conducted to determine the antiarrhythmic efficacy and safety of oral pilsicainide, a class Ic antiarrhythmic drug, in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF).. One hundred and eight patients (mean age, 58.9 years) with AF lasting >or=48 h and or=3 weeks prior to the study enrolment or after verification of the absence of left atrial thrombi by transesophageal echocardiography. After 2 weeks of treatment, an electrocardiogram was recorded to determine whether sinus rhythm was restored. Sinus rhythm was restored in 22.4% of patients treated with pilsicainide and in 2% treated with placebo (p=0.002). Cardioversion was less likely to occur with oral pilsicainide when the AF duration exceeded 2 months or if the left atrial diameter exceeded 45 mm. There was no significant difference in the adverse cardiovascular event rate between the pilsicainide- and placebo-treated groups. One patient in the pilsicainide group developed an atrial flutter without any hemodynamic deterioration.. A 2-week oral administration of pilsicainide is well tolerated and moderately effective in converting persistent AF into sinus rhythm. Topics: Administration, Oral; Adult; Aged; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; Anticoagulants; Atrial Fibrillation; Contraindications; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Lidocaine; Male; Middle Aged; Recovery of Function; Remission Induction; Thrombosis; Warfarin | 2006 |