[Propafenon and propranolol in the management of cardiac extrasystoles (author's transl)].

The anti-arrhythmic effectiveness of propafenon (3 x 150 mg daily) combined with propranolol (3 x 20 mg daily) was compared with that of each drug alone in 15 patients with stable ventricular and (or) supraventricular extrasystoles. The frequency of extrasystoles decreased on propafenon alone by 70% (P less than 0.05), without further decrease on additional propranolol administration. Propranolol alone on average caused no significant decrease infrequency (35%). The most important ECG changes with the combined treatment consisted of a definite increase in P-Q interval by an average of 25% (P less than 0.01) while with propafenon alone it was 13%, with propranolol alone 19% . Propafenon plus propranolol decreased heart rate by a mean of 17% (P less than 0.01). The additive effect of both substances can lead to an inhibition of atrioventricular conduction and of sinus node function.