Antiarrhythmic Effect and Study of Segmentary Contractility Following the Administration of Propafenone in Coronary Patients with Ventricular Arrhythmias

Propafenone hydrochloride (2′-(2-hydroxy-3-propylamino-propoxy)-3-phenylpropiophenone) is a synthetic product developed in West Germany, and recently introduced into Spain for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias of varying origin. Numerous studies on this new antiarrhythmic have appeared over the past 5 years and have made it possible to establish its pharmacological (Davis and Tempte 1968; Keller et al. 1978; Kohl-hardt 1977; Ledda et al. 1980; Tritthart et al. 1971; van Rossum 1963; von Hapke and Prigge 1976); electrophysiological (Bergmann and Bolte 1977; Disertoni et al. 1980; Fill et al. 1977; Seipel et al. 1975; Seipel et al. 1977; Waleffe et al. 1981), and antiarrhythmic (Durante et al. 1980; Luderitz 1978; Meyer-Estorff et al. 1978; Rutsch 1978; Seipel and Breithardt 1980; Vergara et al. 1980; Wiebrinhaus et al. 1978; Wieser et al. 1979) properties, as well as its toxicity. The drug may be administered either orally or intravenously. With oral administration the absorption is approximately 50% and plasma concentration is at its highest 2 h later. The mean half-life is 3–6 h. A high percentage of the drug is bound to the plasma proteins and is eliminated almost totally by the urinary tract within 24 h, although its antiarrhythmic properties decrease considerably 6–8 h after administration. The effective oral dose varies between 450 and 900 mg/day, according to patient. For intravenous administration, 1–2 mg/kg should be injected within a period of 5 min keeping a strict ECG control simultaneously.