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 24months 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 24h. 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<0.01 in Group2(n=78)vs 0.14(0.07-0.25)μg/kg·min,p<0.05 in Group3(n=14)) the ejection fraction of left ventricle, rates of renal replacement therapy, arterial lactate and procalcitonin levels were not different between the groups. The cardioversion rate in Group1(74%) was lower than in Group2(89%) and Group3(92%). ICU and 28-day mortalities of Group1 were not significantly higher than in Group2 and Group3. Multivariate analysis demonstrated higher 12-month mortality in Group1 than in Group2 (HR1.58(1.04;2.38),p=0.03). 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.

Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care 1st Faculty of Medicine Charles University General University Hospital Prague Czechia

Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care 3rd Faculty of Medicine University Hospital Kralovske Vinohrady Prague Czechia

University of Pavia Department of Anesthesia Intensive Care and Pain Medicine Foundation Policlinico St Matteo IRCCS Pavia Italy

J Crit Care. 2018 Jun;45:247-248. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrc.2018.01.024. PubMed

J Crit Care. 2018 Jun;45:247. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrc.2018.01.009. PubMed

Intensive Care Med. 2023 Nov;49(11):1383-1385. doi: 10.1007/s00134-023-07236-z. PubMed

References provided by Crossref.org

Propafenone versus amiodarone for supraventricular arrhythmias in septic shock: a randomised controlled trial

Efficacy and safety of 1C class antiarrhythmic agent (propafenone) for supraventricular arrhythmias in septic shock compared to amiodarone: protocol of a prospective randomised double-blind study

Landiolol for managing post-operative atrial fibrillation