Wavelength index: a predictor of the response to disopyramide in paroxysmal lone atrial fibrillation

Cardiology. 1994;85(3-4):184-92. doi: 10.1159/000176674.

Abstract

We investigated whether the new parameter wavelength index could predict the response to chronic disopyramide therapy in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). Twenty-seven patients with AF underwent electrophysiologic studies and the wavelength index was determined before and after intravenous administration of disopyramide. Then all patients were treated with oral disopyramide for 6 months. In 17 patients, AF was eliminated (group A), while it persisted in another 10 patients (group B). The ratio of the wavelength index before and after intravenous disopyramide was higher in group A than in group B. Thus, the wavelength index proved useful for predicting the response of AF to disopyramide.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Atrial Fibrillation / drug therapy*
  • Atrial Fibrillation / physiopathology
  • Cardiac Pacing, Artificial
  • Disopyramide / therapeutic use*
  • Electrocardiography*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Disopyramide