Article · Volume 5, Issue 4 · pp. 239–244
Oral carvedilol in escalating doses in the acute treatment of atrial fibrillation
Ravi Venkatachelam Chitrapu1, Pentakota Ramana Rao1, Gangireddy Venkateswara Reddy1
- 1Department of Cardiology, Andhra Medical College, King George Hospital, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Abstract
Objective: To study the efficacy of oral carvedilol in acute treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) with fast ventricular rate.Materials and Methods: In an open‑label, single‑arm trial, oral carvedilol was administered to 35 patients of AF in escalating doses from 3.125 mg o.d. to 12.5 mg b.i.d.Results: A successful result was seen in 25 patients (71.4%) with 4 converting to sinus rhythm, rate control to less than 90 bpm in 16 and a 20% rate reduction in 5 patients. Two patients developed hypotension needing withdrawal of the drug.Conclusion: Escalating doses of oral carvedilol can be effectively and safely used in the acute treatment of AF with fast ventricular rate.
Keywords: Acute treatment; atrial fibrillation; carvedilol; oral tablet; rate control
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