Propafenone is effective in the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. Propafenone has been shown to be also useful in preventing the recurrence of atrial fibrillation. But to date, date concerning the efficacy of propafenone for patients experiencing paroxysmal and chronic atrial fibrillation have not been examined in Korea.

In patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation propafenone was given at a dose of 450mg daily without dose titration and symptomatic recurrences were evaluated by patient interview during follow-up. In patients with chronic atrial fibrillation, who had no previously attempted cardioversion, propafenone was given at a dose of 450~675mg daily without dose titration, and after a minimum of 3 days pharmacological cardioversion was assessed. Those patients in whom sinus rhythm had been restored pharmacologically or by combined direct current cardioversion were followed with maintaining propafenone therapy also at a dose of 450~675mg daily.

Of 7 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, 4 (57%) patients had marked symptomatic improvement and they were followed for 197 to 460 (mean 286) days Of 13 patients with chronic atrial fibrillation, 7 patients incuding 4 pharmacologically converted patients were initially controlled to sinus rhythm. In 5 (38%) patients maintenance of sinus rhythm was followed for 90 to 415 (mean 224) days.

Although these observations were made in small number of patients and are so limited, the results are comparable to the previous studies which showed the potential role of propafenone in the management of atrial fibrillation.