J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2020 Aug;31(4):362-370.

Experience of administration of intravenous propafenone in single emergency medical center

• Jung Y
• Ha SO

Abstract

Objective
We aimed to share our experience studying the effects and stability of intravenous propafenone in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).
Methods
This single-center retrospective study evaluated the baseline and clinical characteristics of patients with atrial fibrillation admitted to the emergency room and treated with propafenone between December 2018 and May 2019; patients were analyzed according to new onset AF and chronic AF groups.
Results
Among 24 patients included in the present study, 15 patients were in the new onset AF group while nine were in the chronic AF group. Cardioversion was successful in 15 (73.3%) in the new onset AF group and two (22.2%) in the chronic AF group (P=0.033). The time to cardioversion was relatively short in patients in the new onset AF group (81 minutes vs. 122 minutes, log-rank, P=0.019). Recurrence of AF at 30 days was two (17.2%) in the new onset AF group and 0 (0.0%) in the chronic AF group. No major adverse event was observed except each hypotension in the new onset and chronic AF groups.
Conclusion
Sinus conversion of propafenone in patients with AF occurring within 48 hours in the emergency room may be considered.

Keyword

Atrial fibrillation; Anti-arrhythmia agents; Propafenone