[Sotalol and quinidine/verapamil (Cordichin) in chronic atrial fibrillation--conversion and 12-month follow-up--a randomized comparison]

Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common arrhythmias, leading at least in a subset of patients to severe symptoms (palpitations, weakness, syncope), and to hemodynamic impairment especially in the clinical setting of left ventricular dysfunction. Thus, in many cases restauration of sinus rhythm is indicated because of the negative effects of reduced cardiac output. Quinidine has been the first line drug for many years and has been proven to be highly effective especially when combined with Verapamil. But there is growing concern about using quinidine and other class I-anti-arrhythmic agents because of some hints in clinical trials for increased longterm mortality on these drugs. This study was undertaken to test the efficacy of Sotalol, a beta-blocker with additional strong class-III antiarrhythmic action, compared to a fixed combination of Quinidine and Verapamil for conversion of chronic atrial fibrillation and maintenance of sinus rhythm after medical or electrical cardioversion. To avoid early proarrhythmic effects, potassium values in the range of "high"-normal values (4.3 mval/L) were tried to be obtained. 82 patients were randomly assigned to receive either Sotalol or Quinidine/Verapamil. There was no difference between the groups as far as the underlying heart disease, duration of atrial fibrillation (mean 219 days) and other clinical features including echocardiographic parameters were concerned. The dose of the drug was weight-related individually adjusted, and the drug was continued thereafter. If sinus rhythm could not be established at that time, electric cardioversion was performed and the drug was continued in lower dosage thereafter.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)