[Combined use of propafenon and lidoflazine in chronic atrial fibrillation and flutter (author's transl)].

Forty-seven patients with chronic atrial fibrillation and (or) flutter in whom the clinical picture and the length of arrhythmia indicated that drug-mediated cardioversion should be tried were treated with a combination of lidoflazine and propafenon. The average daily dosage was 600 mg for propafenon and 180 mg for lidoflazine. Duration of treatment was limited to 8 days. Return to sinus rhythm was achieved in 34 patients. In comparison with monotherapy combined use of the drugs thus led to a clear-cut increase of the conversion rate. Dosage reduction of these differently acting substances decreases the risk of toxic side effects, particularly as both substances have different side effects which in part cancel each other out. It can be assumed that ventricular extrasystoles seen during treatment with lidoflazine as precursor of malignant tachycardia can be suppressed or eliminated by propafenon.