@article {216108, title = {Efficacy and speed of conversion of recent onset atrial fibrillation using oral propafenone versus parenteral amiodarone: A randomized controlled comparative study.}, journal = {Indian heart journal}, year = {2022}, abstract = {

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation is the most commonly encountered arrhythmia. Several antiarrhythmic agents are effective in restoring and maintaining sinus rhythm.

AIM OF THE WORK: To compare the efficacy and rapidity of conversion of recent onset atrial fibrillation using oral propafenone versus intravenous infusion of amiodarone.

METHODS: The study included 200 patients with recent onset atrial fibrillation. Patients were equally divided into 2 groups; group A where intravenous infusion amiodarone was given and group B where oral propafenone was administrated. The effectiveness and the time needed for conversion of atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm were compared in both groups.

RESULTS: The success of conversion of atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm was 83\% in group A and 85\% in group B, p-value~=~0.699. The time elapsed from drug administration till conversion of atrial fibrillation was 9.07~{\textpm}~5.04 hours in group A versus 3.9~{\textpm}~1.54~hours in group B, p-value~=~0.001. In both groups, patients who showed failed conversion had a significantly larger left atrial diameter and a significantly higher high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) level.

CONCLUSION: Oral propafenone was faster than parenteral amiodarone in the conversion of recent onset atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm. Patients with failed conversion had a bigger left atrial diameter and a higher hsCRP when compared to patients with successful conversion.

}, author = {Taha, Hesham S and Ghada Youssef and Omar, Ramy M and Kamal El Din, Ahmed M and Shams El Din, Ahmed A and Meshaal, Marwa S} }