To assess antiarrhythmic efficacy of propafenone and amiodarone in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) treatment, 204 patients (125 males, 79 females, aged 57-72 years) with various stages of heart failure (HF) were examined. Group I (HF of 0-I Functional Class, FC; n = 72) received propafenone (Propanorm, PRO. MED. CS Praha): load dose 600 mgper os, plus 300 mg 12 hours later. Group II (HFof II-III FC; n = 132) received amiodarone, 1200 mgper os, 450 mg intravenously, then - according to

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... rd scheme. Propafenone terminated AF paroxysm in 83, 3 % of cases, amiodarone - in 78, 6 %. Inpatients without severe structural and functional myocardial changes and HF of 0-I FC, propafenone was most effective during the first 24 hours (70,8 %). In patients with severe structural myocardial changes and HF of II-III FC, maximal number of patients with rhythm restored by amiodarone was registered after 7 days of the treatment. Propafenone didn't cause any adverse hemodynamic effects inpatients with HF ofl FC. Propafenone and amiodarone combination potentiated antiarrhythmic effects in AF.