Comparative effects of carvedilol and amiodarone on conversion and recurrence rates of persistent atrial fibrillation.

Author(s): Kanoupakis EM, Manios EG, Mavrakis HE, Tzerakis PG, Mouloudi HK, Vardas PE

Affiliation(s): Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital, Heraklion, Greece.

Publication date & source: 2004-09-01, Am J Cardiol., 94(5):659-62.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

Pretreatment with antiarrhythmic agents could improve cardioversion and recurrence rates in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation. In a prospective controlled trial, 145 patients were randomly assigned to treatment with carvedilol, amiodarone, or placebo for 4 weeks before electrical cardioversion. Although the 2 drugs had similar effects on cardioversion rates, amiodarone was superior in terms of sinus rhythm maintenance after conversion. Copyright 2004 Excerpta Medica, Inc.