[Effect of a new anti-arrhythmia drug allapinin on hemodynamics in patients with a persistent form of atrial fibrillation before and after restoration of sinus rhythm].

Echocardiographic study was performed in 24 patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (PAF) without clinical signs of circulatory failure. When treated with allapinin , all the patients with PAF showed a significant increase in heart rate (HR) and cardiac output (CO) and a decrease in total peripheral vascular resistance (TPVR). No substantial changes in the major hemodynamic parameters were found in patients with higher left ventricular dimensions; however, a significant rise in end systolic volume (ESV) was noted. There was significantly lower HR, diminished ESV, higher stroke volume and increased CO, elevated ejection fraction and TPVR with sinus rhythm. In PAF patients without apparent signs of circulatory failure, hemodynamic effects of allapinin may be accounted for by its direct vasodilatory action on the arterial bed and by its ability to affect cardiac autonomic innervation. A moderate cardiodepressive effect of the agent may be reflected by deteriorated latent signs of myocardial incompetence which are levelled off following sinus rhythm recovery.