[Propafenon, a new antiarrhythmic agent for the treatment of ectopic and rapid cardiac arrhythmias (author's transl)].

Propafenon (SA 79, Fenoprain, Baxarytmon) is a new antiarrhythmic agent with "quinidine-like" localanaesthetic direct membrane and beta adrenergic blocking actions. The drug was given to 50 patients with various types of cardiac arrhythmias. The effective and compatible dose was 70-140 mg administered intravenously in 1 to 3 minutes. Therapeutic success was observed in ectopic beats and paroxysmal tachycardias of both atrial and ventricular origin. Propafenon is effective on the sinus node, the atrial wall and the atrioventricular muscle; the rate of sinus node and ectopic pacemakers is lowered. The atrioventricular and intraventricular conduction time may be increased. Within the therapeutic dose Propafenon has only minimal cardiodepressive activity. Propafenon should not be given in patients with severe heart failure, hypotension and shock and atrioventricular block.