Reduced progression of atrial fibrillation in hypertensive patients with long-term treatment of propafenone

In recent years, progress has been made in the study of the natural history of atrial fibrillation (AF) - that, from the stage of having no clinical manifestations, to the final stage, which is an irreversible arrhythmia, is associated with the development of serious cardiovascular complications. Most AF patients steadily progress in persistent or permanent form, but the risk factors and predictors of progression of the arrhythmia is not clearly defined. There is little research done on the effect of long-term antiarrhythmic therapy on the progression of AF. Objective. To evaluate the progression of arrhythmias in patients with arterial hypertension (AH) with paroxysmal AF in the treatment of propafenone (propanorm) compared to treatment with bisoprolol (Concor) in the long-term prospective study. Materials and methods. The study included 62 patients with essential hypertension aged 45 to 63 years. Patients were randomized into 2 groups: 32 patients in group 1 for storing heart rate propafenone took a daily dose of 450 mg, 30 patients in group 2 to control ventricular rate was appointed bisoprolol. Prospective monitoring of patients was carried out from 2011 to 2015, the progression of the arrhythmia was considered: increase in the frequency of paroxysms of arrhythmia in the last 3 months, the appearance of long-term persistent AF episodes or persistent AF. Results. In 14 (44%) patients in group 1 and 20 (67%) - group 2 5 years of observation, it was noted increase in the frequency and duration of AF episodes. The average value of arrhythmia progression into a more stable form of 9.3% per year in patients receiving propafenone, and 11.5% - bisoprolol (p=0.007). Keeping the treatment of sinus rhythm propafenone in a daily dose of 450 mg contributed to a significant reduction of the left atrium anteroposterior size from 43±3 to 36±3 mm (p=0.03). In the treatment with bisoprolol anteroposterior size of the left atrium was not significantly changed and amounted to 44±3 and 43±3 mm respectively. Portability of propafenone antiarrhythmic therapy was comparable with that of bisoprolol. No severe or serious side effects were observed in patients during the long-term prospective study. Conclusion. The five-year propafenone treatment of hypertensive patients with paroxysmal AF can reduce the progression of AF in a more stable form compared with bisoprolol therapy.