[Effects of propafenone on arrhythmias induced by exertion in patients with ischemic cardiopathy].

The efficacy of Propafenone to prevent exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias (EIVA) has been studied in eleven patients affected by ischemic heart disease. None of the patients manifested any arrhythmia at rest, but ventricular arrhythmias occurred in every case during a treadmill test. EIVA disappeared after Propafenone in nine patients, while a reduction by 90% was achieved in the remaining two patients. A further treadmill test carried out five days after withdrawal of the drug induced again the same ventricular arrhythmias in all the patients. Thus, Propafenone appears effective to prevent EIVA in patients with ischemic heart disease.