Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the long-term effects of oral theophylline in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and a slow ventricular response. In 17 patients (age: 78 ± 9 years) with symptomatic AF and a slow ventricular response not related to drugs, resting electrocardiogram and 24-hour Holter recording were performed before and 5-6 days after the administration of slow-release theophylline (700 mg daily) and successively every 3 months during the long-term phase. Fourteen patients had organic heart disease, 13 complained of syncope or presyncope and 4 of asthenia and easy fatigue. At the steady-state evaluation, theophylline significantly increased resting heart rate (HR) by 42%, mean 24-hour HR by 31% and minimal 24-hour HR by 34%. Cardiac pauses > 2500 ms disappeared or markedly decreased. The daily number of wide QRS complexes increased. Serum theophylline level was 13 ± 5 ng/ml. During the follow-up period (20 ± 18 months) the mean daily theophylline dosage was 450 mg and the mean serum theophylline level 9 ng/ml. Seven patients died: 1 because of heart failure and 6 because of non cardiac death. One patient complained of a syncopal episode during one visit. The drug markedly reduced asthenia and easy fatigue. During the long-term phase, HR increased spontaneously in 3 patients and the treatment was interrupted. In 2 patients theophylline had to be discontinued because of gastric intolerance. During long-term therapy, the HR was similar to that observed at the steady-state evaluation despite the reduction in the daily dosage. These data suggest theophylline as an effective therapy in most patients with symptomatic AF and a show ventricular response.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 639-644 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | New Trends in Arrhythmias |
| Volume | 9 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Publication status | Published - 1993 |
Fingerprint
Keywords
- arrhythmias
- atrial fibrillation
- atrio-ventricular conduction
- theophylline
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
Cite this
Long-term effects of theophylline in patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation and a slow ventricular response. / Paparella, N.; Cappato, R.; Pirani, R.; Yiannacopulu, P.; Alboni, P.
In: New Trends in Arrhythmias, Vol. 9, No. 3, 1993, p. 639-644.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Long-term effects of theophylline in patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation and a slow ventricular response
AU - Paparella, N.
AU - Cappato, R.
AU - Pirani, R.
AU - Yiannacopulu, P.
AU - Alboni, P.
PY - 1993
Y1 - 1993
N2 - The purpose of the present study was to investigate the long-term effects of oral theophylline in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and a slow ventricular response. In 17 patients (age: 78 ± 9 years) with symptomatic AF and a slow ventricular response not related to drugs, resting electrocardiogram and 24-hour Holter recording were performed before and 5-6 days after the administration of slow-release theophylline (700 mg daily) and successively every 3 months during the long-term phase. Fourteen patients had organic heart disease, 13 complained of syncope or presyncope and 4 of asthenia and easy fatigue. At the steady-state evaluation, theophylline significantly increased resting heart rate (HR) by 42%, mean 24-hour HR by 31% and minimal 24-hour HR by 34%. Cardiac pauses > 2500 ms disappeared or markedly decreased. The daily number of wide QRS complexes increased. Serum theophylline level was 13 ± 5 ng/ml. During the follow-up period (20 ± 18 months) the mean daily theophylline dosage was 450 mg and the mean serum theophylline level 9 ng/ml. Seven patients died: 1 because of heart failure and 6 because of non cardiac death. One patient complained of a syncopal episode during one visit. The drug markedly reduced asthenia and easy fatigue. During the long-term phase, HR increased spontaneously in 3 patients and the treatment was interrupted. In 2 patients theophylline had to be discontinued because of gastric intolerance. During long-term therapy, the HR was similar to that observed at the steady-state evaluation despite the reduction in the daily dosage. These data suggest theophylline as an effective therapy in most patients with symptomatic AF and a show ventricular response.
AB - The purpose of the present study was to investigate the long-term effects of oral theophylline in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and a slow ventricular response. In 17 patients (age: 78 ± 9 years) with symptomatic AF and a slow ventricular response not related to drugs, resting electrocardiogram and 24-hour Holter recording were performed before and 5-6 days after the administration of slow-release theophylline (700 mg daily) and successively every 3 months during the long-term phase. Fourteen patients had organic heart disease, 13 complained of syncope or presyncope and 4 of asthenia and easy fatigue. At the steady-state evaluation, theophylline significantly increased resting heart rate (HR) by 42%, mean 24-hour HR by 31% and minimal 24-hour HR by 34%. Cardiac pauses > 2500 ms disappeared or markedly decreased. The daily number of wide QRS complexes increased. Serum theophylline level was 13 ± 5 ng/ml. During the follow-up period (20 ± 18 months) the mean daily theophylline dosage was 450 mg and the mean serum theophylline level 9 ng/ml. Seven patients died: 1 because of heart failure and 6 because of non cardiac death. One patient complained of a syncopal episode during one visit. The drug markedly reduced asthenia and easy fatigue. During the long-term phase, HR increased spontaneously in 3 patients and the treatment was interrupted. In 2 patients theophylline had to be discontinued because of gastric intolerance. During long-term therapy, the HR was similar to that observed at the steady-state evaluation despite the reduction in the daily dosage. These data suggest theophylline as an effective therapy in most patients with symptomatic AF and a show ventricular response.
KW - arrhythmias
KW - atrial fibrillation
KW - atrio-ventricular conduction
KW - theophylline
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0027738130&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0027738130&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:0027738130
VL - 9
SP - 639
EP - 644
JO - New Trends in Arrhythmias
JF - New Trends in Arrhythmias
SN - 0393-5302
IS - 3
ER -