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Electrophysiologic effects and clinical efficacy of oral propafenone therapy in patients with ventricular tachycardia.

The effects of the antiarrhythmic agent propafenone were evaluated in 25 patients with recurrent symptomatic ventricular tachycardia. Oral propafenone was given to a maximal dose of 300 mg every 8 hours. Ten of the 25 patients developed side effects or had inadequate suppression of spontaneous ventricular arrhythmias during propafenone therapy. Electrophysiologic studies were performed before and during drug therapy on the 15 patients who had a satisfactory clinical response. Propafenone increased the PR interval from 168 +/- 46 to 188 +/- 25 ms (p less than 0.007), the HV interval from 47 +/- 10 to 65 +/- 13 ms (p less than 0.005), the shortest atrial pacing cycle length to maintain 1:1 atrioventricular (AV) nodal conduction from 385 +/- 44 to 436 +/- 42 ms (p less than 0.005), the ventricular effective refractory period from 231 +/- 17 to 255 +/- 19 ms (p less than 0.001) and the ventricular functional refractory period from 260 +/- 15 to 278 +/- 17 ms (p less than 0.002). Before propafenone therapy, all 15 patients had ventricular tachycardia induced by programmed ventricular stimulation. During propafenone treatment, 12 patients still had ventricular tachycardia induced, and the tachycardia cycle length significantly increased from 236 +/- 44 to 374 +/- 103 ms (p less than 0.001). Ten patients were considered to have satisfactory electrophysiologic response to propafenone on the basis of either the inability to initiate ventricular tachycardia or a marked increase in ventricular tachycardia cycle length associated with lack of symptoms during the induced tachycardia. These patients were discharged receiving propafenone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Oral↗

The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interaction between propafenone and lidocaine.

Although propafenone is a known substrate and inhibitor of the cytochrome P450 4-hydroxylation pathway of debrisoquin (CYP2D6 isozyme), its effects on other hepatic mixed- function oxidative isozymes have not been extensively evaluated. We studied the influence of propafenone on the disposition of continuously infused lidocaine in 12 healthy male volunteers. Placebo or propafenone (225 mg every 8 hours) was orally administered for 4 days before and during lidocaine administration (2 mg/kg/hr for 22 hours). In the 11 (92%) subjects phenotyped as extensive metabolizers, propafenone significantly increased the lidocaine area under the plasma concentration time curve (81.7 +/- 16.2 versus 76.3 +/- 15.6 micrograms.hr/ml; p < or = 0.05) and reduced systemic lidocaine clearance (9.53 +/- 1.77 versus 10.27 +/- 2.24 ml/min/kg; p < or = 0.05), but did not significantly affect volume of distribution at steady state (2.48 +/- 0.33 versus 2.64 +/- 0.45 L/kg; p = 0.10) or mean residence time (4.37 +/- 0.92 versus 4.47 +/- 0.87 hours; difference not significant) compared with placebo, respectively. Adverse central nervous system effects were significantly worse in severity and duration during the propafenone phase (p < or = 0.05). Propafenone minimally inhibits the metabolism of lidocaine. This suggests that the ability of propafenone to inhibit metabolic pathways exclusive of the CYP2D6 isozyme may be limited. In addition, potentiation of disturbing central nervous system adverse effects may occur during combination therapy of propafenone and lidocaine.

Adult↗

Comparisons of oral propafenone and quinidine as an initial treatment option in patients with symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: a double-blind, randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: The main aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of propafenone versus quinidine as an initial choice in treatment of symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. DESIGN: The study consisted of a 3-month treatment with oral propafenone hydrochloride or quinidine sulphate in patients with paroxysmal symptomatic atrial fibrillation, according to a double-blind randomized system. SETTING: The study was performed in the out-patient clinic of university hospital. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The effects of the two drugs on attack frequency, ventricular rate and symptoms of symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. RESULTS: In the oral propafenone group (n = 48), two patients (4%) discontinued the treatment because of dizziness. In the 46 patients who continued the treatment, the attack frequency decreased from 11 +/- 3 times per week at baseline to 1 +/- 1 times per week after treatment (P < 0.01). Forty (87%) out of the 46 patients had effective response to oral propafenone (more than 75% reduction of symptomatic arrhythmic attacks) on a mean dose of 615 +/- 10 mg day-1; the decrease in attack frequency was from 10 +/- 3 to 1 +/- 1 times per week. Twenty-three (50%) patients were free from recurrence of symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Comparisons of symptom scores for patients (n = 23) with attacks of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after oral propafenone treatment showed that there was a significantly lower symptom score of palpitation, asthenia, effort dyspnea, dizziness, rest dyspnea and chest oppression in attacks of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after propafenone treatment (11.05 +/- 3.78 versus 7.60 +/- 3.46, P < 0.01). From the oral quinidine group (n = 48), two patients (4%) discontinued treatment because of gastrointestinal discomfort. In the 46 patients who continued the treatment, the attack frequency decreased from 11 +/- 4 times per week at baseline to 3 +/- 2 times per week after treatment (P < 0.01). Twenty-one (46%) out of the 46 patients had effective response to oral quinidine on a mean dose of 1067 +/- 462 mg day-1, with a decrease in attack frequency from 12 +/- 3 to 1 +/- 1 times per week. Only 10 (22%) patients were free from recurrence of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Comparisons of symptom scores for patients (n = 36) with attacks of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after quinidine treatment showed that there was no significant decrease of symptom score in attacks of atrial fibrillation (10.65 +/- 3.92 versus 10.20 +/- 3.80, P = 0.57). Furthermore, the percentage decrease of ventricular rate during atrial fibrillation was significantly greater in patients with propafenone (-25 +/- 4% versus -8 +/- 3%, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Oral propafenone appeared to be more effective than quinidine in suppressing attacks and alleviating symptoms of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Administration, Oral↗

Efficacy and safety of dofetilide in the prevention of symptomatic episodes of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia: a 6-month double-blind comparison with propafenone and placebo.

BACKGROUND: Existing drug therapies for paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) have potentially serious adverse effects. Dofetilide, a pure class III antiarrhythmic agent, may offer an effective and safe alternative for treating PSVT. This study compared the efficacy and safety of dofetilide with that of propafenone and placebo in the prevention of PSVT. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study compared the effectiveness of oral dofetilide 500 microg given twice daily with that of propafenone 150 mg given 3 times a day and placebo in preventing the recurrence of PSVT in 122 symptomatic patients. Episodes of PSVT were documented by symptom diaries and Hertcard (Hertford Medical, Hertfordshire, UK) event recorders. RESULTS: After 6 months of treatment, patients taking dofetilide, propafenone, and placebo had a 50%, 54%, and 6% probability, respectively, of remaining free of episodes of PSVT (P <.001 for both dofetilide and propafenone vs placebo). Both dofetilide and propafenone also decreased the frequency of episodes of PSVT; the median numbers of episodes in the dofetilide- and propafenone-treated groups were 1 and 0.5, respectively, compared with 5 in the placebo-treated group. Dofetilide was well tolerated; no proarrhythmia occurred. Three patients taking propafenone had serious treatment-related adverse effects that required drug discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS: Dofetilide and propafenone were equally effective in preventing the recurrence of or decreasing the frequency of PSVT.

Administration, Oral↗

Propafenone interacts stereoselectively with beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors.

In order to determine whether the new antiarrhythmic agent propafenone interacts stereoselectively with beta-adrenergic receptors, the potencies of both the (-) and (+) isomers were determined using in vitro binding assays. (-)-Propafenone was the more potent isomer and competed with 125I-pindolol in a simple manner in both rat cerebral cortical and cerebellar membranes with Ki values of 32 +/- 1.7 and 77 +/- 5.8 nM, respectively. In contrast, competition curves for (+)-propafenone in the same tissues were more complex and revealed two binding sites with affinities 10- to 75-fold less potent than those for (-)-propafenone. Moreover, the (+)-propafenone was found by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis to be contaminated with 3% of the more potent (-)-isomer; this contamination accounted for most of the apparent activity of the (+)-propafenone. These data suggest that interactions of propafenone with both beta 1- and beta 2-receptors are markedly stereoselective for the (-) isomer. It is possible that beta-adrenergic receptor blockade by the (-) isomer may be responsible for some of the adverse clinical effects that have been reported with propafenone therapy.

Animals↗

Effects of propafenone on induction and maintenance of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia.

Electrophysiologic studies were performed in 10 patients with atrioventricular (A-V) nodal reentrant paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardias (PSVT), before and after intravenous administration of propafenone (1.5 mg/kg). All patients utilized an A-V nodal slow pathway for anterograde conduction and an A-V nodal fast pathway for retrograde conduction of the reentrant impulse. Propafenone depressed retrograde fast pathway conduction which was manifested by: 1) complete V-A block at all ventricular paced cycle lengths after propafenone in 3 cases; 2) increase in mean +/- SD of ventricular paced cycle length producing V-A block from less than 308 +/- 37 ms to 432 +/- 63 ms in the remaining 7 patients. Nine of the 10 patients had induction of sustained PSVT before propafenone. In 7 of the 9, PSVT could not be induced or sustained after propafenone, reflecting depression of the retrograde fast pathway conduction with either absence of atrial echoes (5 patients) or induction of nonsustained PSVT, with termination occurring after the QRS (2 patients). In 1 patient, single atrial echoes were induced before propafenone but none were noted after the drug. In only 2 patients was a sustained PSVT inducible after propafenone. In conclusion, propafenone inhibited induction of sustained A-V nodal reentrant PSVT in most patients, reflecting depression of retrograde A-V nodal fast pathway conduction.

Adult↗

A comparison of intravenous propafenone and flecainide in the treatment of tachycardias associated with the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.

UNLABELLED: We compared the electrophysiological effects of intravenous propafenone and flecainide on accessory pathway conduction by a randomized crossover study in 16 patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. The antegrade refractory period of the pathway increased from 256 +/- 18 msec at baseline to 288 +/- 13 msec on propafenone (P less than 0.05) and to 296 +/- 27 msec on flecainide (P = 0.075). The minimum preexcited RR interval during atrial fibrillation or incremental atrial pacing was prolonged from 225 +/- 37 msec to 262 +/- 22 msec by propafenone (P less than 0.05) and to 301 +/- 31 msec by flecainide (P less than 0.005). The prolongation was significantly greater with flecainide than propafenone (P less than 0.05). Both drugs increased tachycardia cycle length (TCL) from 310 +/- 35 msec to 354 +/- 37 msec (propafenone P less than 0.005) and to 352 +/- 37 msec (flecainide P less than 0.01). Both propafenone and flecainide blocked antegrade conduction in the pathway in five patients. Both drugs rendered atrial fibrillation noninducible in seven patients and orthodromic tachycardia noninducible in five patients. CONCLUSIONS: (1) Flecainide causes a greater prolongation of minimum preexcited RR interval than propafenone; (2) There is no significant difference between propafenone and flecainide on the inducibility of arrhythmias, TCL, or incidence of antegrade conduction block.

Adult↗

Oral loading with propafenone: a placebo-controlled study in elderly and nonelderly patients with recent onset atrial fibrillation.

UNLABELLED: The efficacy and safety of propafenone as an oral loading dose (600-mg single oral dose) in converting recent-onset atrial fibrillation (< or = 7 days duration) to sinus rhythm were evaluated in a single-blind, placebo-controlled study according to patients' age. Overall, 240 hospitalized patients, NYHA Class < or = 2 without signs or symptoms of heart failure were enrolled: among patients aged < or = 60 years, 55 were allocated to propafenone treatment and 59 to placebo, respectively, and among patients aged > 60 years, 64 were allocated to propafenone treatment and 62 to placebo, respectively. RESULTS: In each age group, the likelihood of conversion to sinus rhythm was significantly greater after propafenone compared with placebo at 3 and 8 hours. For patients aged < or = 60 years, corresponding odd ratios were 3.78 (95% CI = 1.80-7.92, P = 0.04) at 3 hours and 4.74 (95% CI = 2.12-10.54, P = 0.02) at 8 hours; for patients aged > 60 years odd ratios were 5.03 (95% CI = 2.08-12.12, P = 0.02) at 3 hours and 6.75 (95% CI = 3.28-73.86, P = 0.01) at 8 hours, respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that conversion to sinus rhythm within 3 hours was predicted by age < or = 60 years (P = 0.0064) and by propafenone treatment (P < 0.0001), and conversion to sinus rhythm within 8 hours was predicted by age < or = 60 years (P = 0.0467) and by propafenone treatment (P < 0.0001). The occurrence of adverse effects was observed in 14%-16% of propafenone treated patients and in 8% of placebo treated patients without significant differences according to age. In conclusion, in patients with recent-onset atrial fibrillation without signs of heart failure, propafenone as a single oral loading dose is effective. It is also effective in selected elderly subjects with a favorable safety profile. Moreover, spontaneous conversion to sinus rhythm appears to occur less frequently in elderly patients.

Administration, Oral↗

Probable propafenone-induced transient global amnesia.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a probable case of transient global amnesia caused by propafenone. This adverse effect has not been previously described for this agent. CASE SUMMARY: A 61-year old man with a history of sick sinus syndrome with persistent atrial fibrillation and infrequent premature ventricular contractions was admitted to the hospital for symptoms of amnesia and disorientation to time, place, and date. He began taking propafenone only 6 days prior to admission because of uncontrolled atrial fibrillation and symptoms of fatigue. His atrial fibrillation subsequently had converted to normal sinus rhythm while he received propafenone without adverse effects prior to this episode. His symptoms of amnesia resolved approximately 6-7 hours after discontinuing the propafenone therapy. DISCUSSION: Propafenone is a class 1C antiarrhythmic agent that blocks fast sodium channels in heart muscle and Purkinje fibers similar to the action of encainide and flecainide. It also produces weak beta- and calcium-channel blockade. It has a significant adverse effect profile, with 30-45% of patients reporting cardiac adverse effects and 15-20% experiencing noncardiac events. Central nervous system effects that parallel amnesia have been reported in 10-15% of the patients, including dizziness, ataxia, drowsiness, fatigue, confusion, and paranoia. Propafenone's distribution, clearance, and structural similarity to propranolol contribute to its central nervous system effects. CONCLUSIONS: The rapid resolution of this patient's symptoms after discontinuing propafenone therapy and the absence of recurrence lend credence to the probability of this effect. Comparable adverse effects, such as disorientation and temporary amnesia, have been reported in patients in the analogous agent, propranolol. Consequently, this is a likely, although rare, possible adverse effect with propafenone for which patients should be monitored.

Amnesia↗

Efficacy of propafenone for maintaining sinus rhythm in patients with recent onset or persistent atrial fibrillation after conversion: a randomized, placebo-controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of propafenone in the prevention of atrial fibrillation (AF) relapse after restoration of sinus rhythm. METHODS: This study consisted of 110 consecutive patients with recent onset and persistent AF. After restoration of sinus rhythm, patients were randomized to propafenone (n: 58, age: 60 +/- 12 years) or placebo (n: 52, age: 62 +/- 10 years).There were 11 withdrawals (7 in the propafenone and 4 in the placebo group) during follow-up. Follow-up evalutations were conducted at the first, 3rd and then at an interval of three months during 15 months. The clinical characteristics in both groups were comparable. The AF relapse was analysed by the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: At 15-month follow-up, AF relapsed in 20 (39%) and 31 (65%) patients in the propafenone and placebo groups, respectively (p = 0.015). In subgroup analysis, AF recurrence was significantly lower in the propafenone group than in the placebo group only in the recent onset AF patients with spontaneous conversion (21% vs. 61%, p = 0.01). However, the AF relapse rates were similar in patients with persistent AF and with recent AF who converted to sinus rhythm pharmacologically or electrically in the propafenone and placebo groups. Four patients on propafenone and one on placebo had adverse effects necessitating discontinuation of the drug (p = 0.36). CONCLUSION: At 15 months, propafenone seems to be superior to placebo for maintaining sinus rhythm in patients with recent onset or peristent AF. This superiority originates mainly from patients with recent onset AF in whom sinus rhythm occurred spontaneously. Its adverse effects are similar to placebo.

Anti-Arrhythmia Agents↗

Effect of CYP2D6*10 genotype on propafenone pharmacodynamics in Chinese patients with ventricular arrhythmia.

AIM: To determine the effect of CYP2D6*10 genotype on propafenone pharmacodynamics in Chinese patients with ventricular arrhythmia. METHODS: Seventeen Chinese patients with ventricular premature contractions (VPC> or =1000/d) were recruited. They were normal in routine laboratory testing and administered propafenone hydrochloride 450-600 mg per day in three divided doses. Twelve lead cardiogram and 24 h Holter monitoring were performed before and after 7 d treatment of propafenone. Steady-state peak and trough concentrations of propafenone were measured by HPLC method. CYP2D6*10 genotypes of patients were assayed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). RESULTS: Total inhibitory rate of VPC was 79.9 % in 17 patients with ventricular arrhythmia after propafenone treatment. PR interval prolongation was increased from 0.146 s+/-0.018 s to 0.161 s+/-0.022 s (P<0.05). CYP2D6 genotypes played an important role in plasma levels and effects of propafenone. In 450 mg/d group, patients with homozygous mutant of CYP2D6*10 not only had a Cmax of propafenone two times as high as those of wild-type genotype, but also showed a two fold higher inhibitory rate of VPC compared with those with homozygous CYP2D6*1 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: CYP2D6*10 genotype is relevant to decreased activity of CYP2D6 enzyme in Chinese patients. Elevated plasma concentration is consistent with better efficacy of propafenone in patients with ventricular arrhythmia.

Adult↗

[Propafenone versus hydroquinidine in long-term pharmacological prophylaxis of atrial fibrillation].

New antiarrhythmic class 1C agents have been proposed in the last few years in an attempt to suppress paroxysmal atrial fibrillation at long-term, as the most commonly used class 1A agents such as quinidine gave highly variable results as regards both side-effects and efficacy. The aim of this randomized prospective study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral propafenone at long term in preventing paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and to compare the results with those obtained using agents such as quinidine. Two hundred patients with recurrent episodes of symptomatic atrial fibrillation were enrolled for this study with entry criteria based upon a history of more than 3 crises in the previous 6 months, with electrocardiographic (standard electrocardiogram or dynamic registration) documentation. According to a randomized selection either propafenone at 300 mg twice daily or hydroquinidine retard 250 mg twice daily were administered to the patients; clinical check-up was carried out every 3 months or if clinical course worsened. The dosages were increased if proved to be inadequate at check-up (i.e. recurrence of atrial fibrillation) up to 300 mg 3 times daily for propafenone and 500 mg twice daily for hydroquinidine. The efficacy at the 3rd month was 71% for propafenone and 60% for hydroquinidine, at the 6th month 60% for propafenone and 56% for hydroquinidine; this trend lowered progressively as the follow-up continued, to 48% for propafenone and 42% for hydroquinidine (NS). More than 70% of the responder patients assumed 600 mg twice for propafenone or 250 twice for hydroquinidine. Propafenone had a percentage of 10% side-effects and hydroquinidine 24% (p = 0.02).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

[Amiodarone and propafenone: evaluation using serial Holter recordings in patients with ventricular arrhythmia].

OBJECTIVE: To review the experience of the Arrhythmology Department in evaluating antiarrhythmic therapy for ventricular arrhythmias with serial Holter electrocardiographic recordings (ECG-H). To compare the results obtained with the most used drugs in this Department: amiodarone and propafenone (groups AMIO and PROP). DESIGN: Retrospective study. No statistically significant differences between the two groups were found in respect to age, sex, underlying disease, functional class, left ventricular function and associated therapy. SETTING: Arrythmology Department at a Cardiology Service. PATIENTS: 105 sequential patients with ventricular arrhythmias in a basal ECG-H recording, that were evaluated within 1 year with a new recording on amiodarone or propafenone, without major clinical events or therapeutic changes between the two recordings. INTERVENTIONS (daily oral doses): Amiodarone 200-600 (mean 270) mg or propafenone 300-900 (mean 602) mg. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups, in either the basal ECG-H or that recorded on therapy. The two drugs were similar in the degree of suppression of ventricular premature complexes per hour (VPCH): equal or superior to 75% in 64.3% of the patients on amiodarone and in 63.9% of those on propafenone. The following reductions on therapy were statistically significant (p less than 0.001 if not specified): VPCH, from 346 +/- 480 to 86 +/- 158 on amiodarone and from 418 +/- 524 to 110 +/- 215 on propafenone; most complex arrhythmia recorded, on both drugs; number of patients with pairs, from 72.1 to 34.9% on amiodarone and from 69.4 to 33.9% on propafenone; number of patients with runs of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (VT), from 27.9 to 2.3% on amiodarone (p less than 0.01); number of runs of VT per recording, from 3 +/- 5 to 1 on amiodarone (p less than 0.06); and maximum number of complexes per run of VT, from 8 +/- 8 to 4 on amiodarone and from 7 +/- 4 to 5 +/- 1 on propafenone (both with p less than 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Holter recordings were useful in evaluating antiarrhythmic therapy. The effectiveness of amiodarone and propafenone in treating ventricular arrhythmias was not significantly different. The choice between one of these drugs must rely on their collateral effects profile.

Adult↗

Demonstration of beta adrenoceptor blockade by propafenone hydrochloride: clinical pharmacologic, radioligand binding and adenylate cyclase activation studies.

The postulated beta adrenoceptor blocking properties of the new antiarrhythmic drug propafenone were studied by in vivo comparison against placebo and propranolol in the antagonism of both exercise- and isoproterenol-induced tachycardia and by in vitro radioligand binding studies of animal and human left ventricular muscle membrane preparations. Interaction with frog erythrocyte membrane adenylate cyclase was also investigated. In the clinical studies, a double blind crossover comparison of oral propafenone (300 mg), propranolol (40 mg) and placebo indicated significant antagonism of chronotropic response to isoproterenol 2 hr postdose with dose ratios of 4.1 +/- 1.3 (mean +/- S.E.M.) for propafenone and 16.8 +/- 5.1 for propranolol. Chronotropic response to exercise was modestly reduced by propafenone. Analysis of the binding of [125I]iodocyanopindolol to human left ventricular membranes revealed specific beta adrenoceptor competition by propafenone with an EC50 of 111 +/- 13 nM. Propranolol EC50 was 2.4 +/- 0.2 nM in this system. Competitive inhibition of isoproterenol-stimulated frog erythrocyte membrane adenylate cyclase activity was also obtained with propafenone. The ratio of affinities (calculated from the apparent dissociation constant; KD) for propranolol-propafenone was 1:40 for the in vivo study and 1:50 for the in vitro system. Propafenone is a specific antagonist of the human beta adrenoceptor and this action can be demonstrated during in vivo study in human subjects. At clinical dosages it appears likely that it will achieve a modest degree of beta blockade which may contribute to its antiarrhythmic effect.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

[The bioequivalence of two oral propafenone preparations].

The bioequivalence of two oral racemic propafenone (CAS 54063-53-5) preparations was tested in an open, randomised, crossover trial with administration of single doses of 300 mg on two different occasions with a washout period of 7 days. 24 healthy, male volunteers, all proved to be rapid hydroxylators of debrisoquine, were enrolled in the trial. The concentrations of R(+)-, S(-)-propafenone and 5-hydroxypropafenone (5-OH-propafenone) were measured up to 12 h after administration by means of a sensitive and specific HPLC method that allowed the simultaneous quantification of all three substances in plasma. The results of 23 volunteers were evaluated pharmacokinetically. Main target parameters were AUC0-infinity and Cmax of both enantiomers of propafenone. Secondary target parameters were AUC0-infinity and Cmax of 5-OH-propafenone as well as tmax for R(+)- and S(-)-propafenone. The 90% confidence intervals for AUC0-infinity for R(+)-, S(-)-, and 5-OH-propafenone were 0.85-1.07, 0.83-1.10 and 0.84-1.05, respectively. The confidence intervals for Cmax were 0.81-1.12, 0.82-1.17 and 0.87-1.09 for R-, S-, and 5-OH-propafenone, respectively. The concentration maxima of both enantiomers were registered on average 15 min earlier after administration of the test preparation. This difference is of no clinical relevance. Both preparations are bioequivalent according to the criteria of the Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products (CPMP).

Administration, Oral↗

Potassium channel blocking properties of propafenone in rabbit atrial myocytes.

Propafenone, a class 1c antiarrhythmic agent, is known to be a potent blocker of voltage-dependent sodium channels; however, several clinical actions of the drug point toward possible potassium channel blocking capability. The present experiments were designed to assess the extent and potential mechanisms of potassium channel blocking properties of propafenone. Whole-cell voltage-clamp techniques were used to define the actions of propafenone on the transient outward current (Ito), the delayed rectifier current (Ik) and the inward rectifier current (Ik1) in isolated rabbit atrial myocytes. Propafenone blocked all three currents, with the extent of blockade being independent of test potential During depolarizing voltage steps, block of Ito and Ik developed as an exponential function of time, consistent with time-dependent open channel blockade. The rate constant of block onset was concentration dependent. The inactivation of Ito was a monoexponential function of time under control conditions, with a time constant averaging 19.1 +/- 1.3 msec (mean +/- S.E.) at +10 mV. Propafenone accelerated Ito inactivation, resulting in a biexponential process having time constants of 5.1 +/- 0.9 (P < .001 vs. control) and 23.5 +/- 2.0 msec (P = N.S. vs. control) at 5 microM and 3.4 +/- 0.5 (P < .001 vs. control) and 28.5 +/- 4.3 msec (P = N.S.) at 10 microM concentrations, respectively. The rapid phase inactivation time constants were of the same order as time constants for the onset of block (3.1 +/- 0.6 and 1.8 +/- 0.3 msec at 5 and 10 microM respectively), suggesting that the acceleration of Ito inactivation was due to open channel block by the drug. The IC50 for blockade was substantially less for effects on Ik (0.76 microM; 95% confidence limits 0.44-1.30 microM) than for Ito (5.91 microM; 95% confidence limits 4.19-8.33 microM) or Ik1 (7.10; 5.24-9.61 microM). We conclude that 1) propafenone is an efficacious potassium channel blocker; 2) propafenone blockade of time-dependent potassium currents is open-state dependent; and 3) propafenone block of potassium currents is relatively selective for Ik.

Animals↗

Interaction between propranolol and propafenone in healthy volunteers.

The effects of propafenone on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of propranolol were evaluated in 12 healthy male subjects. Both propafenone and propranolol were each administered alone for one week followed by concomitant administration for an additional week. Blood samples, obtained at steady-state, were analyzed for propafenone and its two metabolites as well as for propranolol and 4-hydroxypropranolol. Left ventricular function, exercise performance and electrocardiographic intervals were assessed. Coadministration of propranolol did not produce any significant change in propafenone kinetics including peak plasma concentration (Cmax), time to peak plasma concentration (Tmax), elimination rate constant (t1/2), mean steady-state plasma concentration (Css), or area under the concentration vs time curves. However, concomitant propafenone administration significantly increased Cmax (83%), Tmax (55%), t1/2 (30%), and Css (213%) which were accompanied by significant decreases in plasma levels of 4-hydroxy-propranolol. Propafenone and propranolol significantly reduced supine systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 2.5 to 15.4%. The combination did not reduce diastolic blood pressure further (64.0 +/- 2.8 to 59.7 +/- 1.7 mmHg) nor did it produce a supplemental reduction in heart rate (12% reduction with propranolol, 10% reduction with concomitant administration). Propranolol, but not propafenone, significantly decreased end-diastolic volume index (13%), stroke volume index (15%), and velocity of circumferential fiber shortening (19%). The combination did not cause any further changes in echocardiographic measurements. Electrocardiographic intervals were not altered by either drug use alone or in combination.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

New antiarrhythmic drugs in pediatric use: propafenone.

Propafenone hydrochloride, a class 1C antiarrhythmic agent, combines sodium channel-blocking effects with beta-blocking capacities and a weak calcium antagonism. The drug exerts marked electrophysiologic effects on accessory atrioventricular pathways. In patients with atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia, propafenone is able to block conduction in the fast conducting pathway. In addition, propafenone is very effective in young patients with supraventricular tachycardia based on enhanced abnormal automaticity. In pediatric patients, left ventricular performance remains unimpaired. Proarrhythmic events have been noted in children only occasionally. In accordance with the electrophysiologic profile, intravenous and oral propafenone is an effective agent for treatment of supraventricular tachycardia based on a reentry mechanism and due to abnormal automaticity (i.e., supraventricular tachycardia based on an accessory atrioventricular pathway, atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia, junctional ectopic tachycardia, and atrial ectopic tachycardia). In children with ventricular dysrhythmias, efficacy seems to be related to the underlying cardiac diagnosis. Propafenone is well tolerated in the majority of young patients. Incidence of proarrhythmic events seems to be lower with propafenone than with other class 1C agents. However, the risk of these serious adverse events should be taken into account when therapy with propafenone is considered, particularly in patients with structural heart disease.

Atrioventricular Node↗