[Antiarrhythmic properties of lidoflazine in the therapy of auricular fibrillation and flutter (clinical studies of 26 patients)].

Successful conversion to sinus rhythm was achieved in 20 out of 26 patients (77%) with chronic atrial fibrillation or flutter of various origin, that had existed for about 40 +/- 13 months. There was a significant relation between the converting dose of Lidoflazine and the duration of atrial fibrillation. In those patients with atrial fibrillation, that preexisted no longer than two years, restoration of sinus rhythm was achieved in 12 of 14 cases (86%) with an average dose of 109 +/- 67 mg Lidoflazine a day, whereas in the group with atrial fibrillation known for more than two years therapeutical success was obtained only in 8 of 12 cases (67%). The dose of conversion was 382 +/- 150 mg/day in this group and produced in a few patients toxic side effects. Two patients relapsed to atrial fibrillation. On this reasons conversion with Lidoflazine should only be done in patients with atrial fibrillation within two years. There were no significant changes related to: heart rate, myocardial function and intraventricular conduction process. In the presence of underlying hypokalaemic disturbances and/or additional therapy with digitalis preparations Lidoflazine may be the cause of developing premature beats. Lidoflazine may be regarded as a relatively safe drug even in large doses, if monitoring of heart rhythm and QTc-interval is available.