[The evaluation of the antiarrhythmic activity of L-carnitine and propafenone in ischemic cardiopathy]

Clin Ter. 1993 Feb;142(2):155-9.
[Article in Italian]

Abstract

In order to evaluate a possible antiarrhythmic action of L-carnitine (C) in ischemic heart disease, 30 patients (20 males, 10 females, average age 64 years +/- 11) with ischemic heart disease who at examination with 24-hour dynamic ECG showed extrasystolic ventricular multifocal arrhythmia with a mean hourly rate of > 300 were randomized into three groups, the first of which was given a daily oral dose of 6 g C in three divided doses; groups 2 and 3 were given propafenone (P), 900 mg daily in three divided doses. After one week, all patients were again submitted to 24-hour dynamic ECG after which treatment was continued for another week as follows: group 1 continued on C (6 g daily), group 2 continued on P (900 mg daily), group 3 continued on P (900 mg daily) plus C (6 g daily). At the end of the second week, a further 24-hour ECG was performed the results of which showed that L-carnitine can significantly reduce the antiarrhythmic activity of the ischemic myocardium. In addition, at the end of the second week, a further significant reduction of the number of premature beats compared to the first week was found in patients for whom L-carnitine had been added to propafenone treatment.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • English Abstract
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cardiac Complexes, Premature / drug therapy
  • Cardiac Complexes, Premature / etiology
  • Carnitine / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Electrocardiography / drug effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardial Ischemia / complications
  • Myocardial Ischemia / drug therapy*
  • Propafenone / therapeutic use*
  • Remission Induction
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
  • Propafenone
  • Carnitine