Use of clonazepam for treatment of patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation with regard to their psychoautonomic status

AIM: To study the efficacy of clonazepam in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) with reference to their psychovegetative status. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 50 patients with PAF of non-rheumatic origin entered the study group, 20 healthy examinees served control. All of them were examined using a clinicocardiological, cliniconeurological tests; their autonomic nervous system, emotional sphere, sleep disorders were studied before and after clonazepam treatment in a dose 0.5 mg 2 times a day for 30 days. RESULTS: A positive effect of clonazepam was noted in 20 (80%) patients with PAF, less frequent paroxysms occurred in 12 (48%) patients, in 5 patients they stopped, 12 (48%) patients tolerated the paraxysms better. The paraxysms became shorter in 10 (40%) patients, 10 (40%) patients felt better in the postparoxysmal period. A marked relief of psychovegetative syndrome, improvement of activity, mood and quality of sleep were noted in all the patients. CONCLUSION: Clonazepam is recommended for patients with PAF to improve antiarrhythmia therapy.