Propafenone

I am a 53 yr-old male with PVCs.  I have been on Toprol, and now Verapamil with no results.  After a recent 24-hr Holter I had recorded 43% PVCs (while on the Verapamil).  My cardio Dr. is now putting me on Propafenone.  I have a healthy heart, no heart disease, 5' 9" 185#, non-smoke, limited caffeine, moderate alcohol, exercise 3 x per week. My PVCs are coming from the left ventricle.

Aside from the normal information (and warnings), I have read about Propafenone, what do I need to watch for?  Do I give up all caffeine and alcohol, lose weight, etc.?  Has Propafenone been moderately successful in controlling PVCs?

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

Propafenone has been shown to work with PVC suppression.  The main thing to watch for is any increase in arrhythmias -- this is unlikely though.

Giving up caffeine, alcohol and weight loss will probably not affect the PVCs unless if you have noticed they cause them to increase in the past.

If the PVCs are that frequent, have you considered an ablation to get rid of them?  It might be worth a second opinion at a major medical center to see if they think it can be ablated.  If you truly have 43% PVCs, that should make an ablation success rate pretty high in the right hands. You may need to take medications for the rest of your life to suppress them.

I hope this helps.

[Momto3]

Hi PVCDave,

I was on propafenone to suppress PVCs and it worked great!  I did end up having two ablations, which has worked even better.  It's been nearly 5 years and the difference in amazing!  My doctor said it was meds for life, or try the ablation.  I no longer need the medication and I hardly have any PVC activity.

One Holter recorded 24%, and the doctor had no problem ablating.  But, as Dr. McWililams suggested, you want to be at a facility where the procedure is done often and where the doctors are experienced with ablation.

Let us know how you're doing!  Feel free to stop over at the Heart Rhythm community where you will be able to chat and ask questions from patients in similar situations.

Take care
connie

[Rick101]

A related discussion, Life Time use of Propafenone was started.