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Ventricular Tachycardia in Patients with Impaired Left Ventricular Function: The Role of Propafenone
Author(s) -
BRODSKY MICHAEL A.,
ALLEN BYRON J.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
clinical progress in electrophysiology and pacing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.193
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1540-8167
pISSN - 8756-9264
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-8167.1986.tb01733.x
Subject(s) - propafenone , medicine , cardiology , ventricular tachycardia , ejection fraction , tachycardia , anesthesia , heart failure , atrial fibrillation
The combined occurrence of left ventricular dysfunction and ‐ventricular tachyarrhythmias portends a high annual mortality. Anti arrhythmic drugs can ameliorate ventricular arrhythmia and may reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death. We administered propafenone to 15 patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmias and left ventricular ejection fractions 40%. Propafenone significantly reduced isolated ventricular premature depolarizations, couplets, and ventricular tachycardia on ambulatory monitoring. Propafenone eliminated all exercise provocable ventricular tachycardia. Propafenone additionally abolished ventricular tachycardia inducible by programmed stimulation in 4 of 7 patients. In 8 patients studied before and during therapy, there was no significant change in left ventricular ejection fraction as determined by nuclear ventriculography. Propafenone was discontinued in 4 patients due to side effects. Seven patients receiving continuing propafenone therapy remain alive with only one patient suffering arrhythmia recurrence. Propafenone is an effective drug for the management of ventricular tachyarrhythmias and may be used for patients with impaired left ventricular function.