Single oral administration of pilsicainide versus infusion of disopyramide for termination of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: a multicenter trial.

Abstract

A single oral dose of pilsicainide (PLS) is effective in terminating acute-onset atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the effectiveness of this single oral treatment has not been compared with the infusion of other antiarrhythmic drugs. The effects of a single oral dose of PLS on the termination of AF were compared with an infusion of disopyramide (DISO) in a multicenter trial. Seventy-two patients with electrocardiographically confirmed, symptomatic, paroxysmal AF (< 48-hour duration) were randomized to receive either a single 100- to 150-mg dose of PLS versus a 2 mg/kg (maximum dose = 100 mg) infusion of DISO. Successful defibrillation was defined as termination of AF within 2 hours of drug administration. Conversion of AF to sinus rhythm was achieved within 2 hours in 29 of 40 patients (73%) treated with PLS, and in 18 of 32 patients (56%) treated with DISO (NS). The mean time to return of sinus rhythm was 60 +/- 30 minutes in the PLS group versus 23 +/- 18 minutes in the DISO group (P < 0.001). DISO was particularly effective in terminating nocturnal AF, whereas PLS had a stable circadian effect. PLS was significantly more effective than DISO between 6 AM and 12 PM (64% vs 17%, P < 0.05). No adverse effect was observed in either group. In conclusion, a single oral dose of PLS was as effective as an infusion of DISO to restore sinus rhythm in patients with recent-onset AF. PLS consistently terminated AF regardless of its time of onset.

• Authors: K Kumagai, H Abe, T Hiraki, H Nakashima, Y Oginosawa, H Ikeda, Y Nakashima, T Imaizumi, K Saku
• Journal: Pacing and clinical electrophysiology : PACE (Pacing Clin Electrophysiol) Vol. 23 Issue 11 Pt 2 Pg. 1880-2 (Nov 2000) ISSN: 0147-8389 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11139948 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
• Lidocaine
• pilsicainide
• Disopyramide

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Anti-Arrhythmia Agents (administration & dosage, blood)
• Atrial Fibrillation (blood, drug therapy)
• Circadian Rhythm
• Disopyramide (administration & dosage, blood)
• Female
• Heart Rate
• Humans
• Infusions, Intravenous
• Lidocaine (administration & dosage, analogs & derivatives, blood)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Prospective Studies
• Time Factors
• Treatment Outcome