Propafenone for supraventricular arrhythmias in septic shock-Comparison to amiodarone and metoprolol

Abstract Purpose The occurence of supraventricular arrhythmias associate with an unfavourable prognosis in septic shock. Propafenone could be a feasible antiarrhythmic. Materials and methods Patients collected over a period of 24 months were divided into the three groups based on antiarrhythmic: Group1(amiodarone), Group2(propafenone), Group3(metoprolol). Type of arrhythmia, cardioversion rates, demographic, haemodynamic, laboratory parameters were recorded in the first 24 h. The outcome data were compared between the groups. Results 234 patients (99.1% ventilated) were included, the prevailing arrhythmia was acute onset atrial fibrillation (AF,69.7%). Except for the dosage of noradrenaline (0.35(0.14–0.78) in Group1(n = 142)vs 0.25(0.10–0.50),p  Conclusions Propafenone demonstrated a higher cardioversion rate than amiodarone with a similar impact on the outcome. Patients remaining in acute onset arrhythmia did not demonstrate significantly higher ICU, 28-day and 12-month mortalities compared to those successfully cardioverted or to those having chronic AF.