Open AccessEffects of diltiazem, propranolol, and their combination in the control of atrial fibrillation
Author(s) -
Dahlström C.G.,
Bertil Olsson S.,
Edvardsson Nils,
Nasheng Cai
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
clinical cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.263
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-8737
pISSN - 0160-9289
DOI - 10.1002/clc.4960150411
Subject(s) - medicine , diltiazem , propranolol , atrial fibrillation , digoxin , cardiology , heart rate , digitalis , blood pressure , crossover study , anesthesia , amiodarone , heart failure , alternative medicine , pathology , calcium , placebo
The effect of the combined treatment with propranolol 20 mg tid and diltiazem 60 mg tid in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation treated with digoxin was evaluated. Thirteen patients entered a double‐blind, three‐phase crossover study. Heart rate was significantly reduced during rest and at maximal exercise (p < 0.05) during combined treatment compared with treatment with any single drug. No significant changes in maximal work load, exercise time, systolic blood pressure at maximal work load, or subjective sensation of well‐being could be demonstrated during combined drug treatment. The RR distribution pattern was unaffected by the addition of propranolol, diltiazem, or their combination to the chronic digoxin treatment. It is concluded that the combination of diltiazem and propranolol has no advantages over any of these drugs singly, in the moderation of heart rate in patients with atrial fibrillation even combined with basic digitalis treatment, and that the intrinsic AV nodal function is unaffected by these drugs or their combination.