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

• Published in: Clinica terapeutica Vol. 142; no. 2; p. 155
• Main Authors: Palazzuoli, V, Mondillo, S, Faglia, S, D'Aprile, N, Camporeale, A, Gennari, C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Italian
• Published: Italy 01.02.1993
• Subjects: 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
• ISSN: 0009-9074

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.