Abstract: AIM: To compare the efficacy and safety of amiodarone and propafenone in the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: The population consisted of 56 consecutive patients (age 39-72 years, 37 male) with recurrent symptomatic atrial fibrillation.Those patients were randomized to amiodarone group (n =28) or propafenone group (n =28).Usage of amiodarone;0.2 tid within seven to ten days, 0.2 bid within seven days.The maintain dose was 0.2 qd or 0.2 qod.Usage of propafenone;0.15 tid or qid within two weeks.The maintain dose was 0.1 tid.Follow-up evaluations were conducted at 1, 2 and 3 weeks, and 4-week intervals thereafter. RESULTS: Duration of following up was 6 months.Four patients treated with amiodarone, and two with propafenone discontinued therapy due to adverse effects.There was no life-threatening adverse effects.The whole effective rate was 82.1 %in amiodarone group and 57.1 % in propafenone group (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: Amiodarone was more effective than propafenone in treatment of paroxysmal AF, though its long-term efficacy was limited by noncardiac adverse side effects.

Key words: pharmacodynamics, atrial fibrillation, amiodarone, propafenone, cardioversion