Abstract
Background: Bepridil are frequently administered to patients with persistent or long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (AF), and the rhythm maintenance effect of bepridil is reported similar to that of amiodarone. However, the availability of bepridil after catheter ablation (CA) is not confirmed. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of bepridil versus amiodarone in the prevention of AF recurrence after CA. Methods: One hundred and fifteen patients with persistent AF (n=76, male 67, age 60±9) or long-standing persistent AF (n=39, male 19, age 65±10) who underwent medication with amiodarone or bepridil after CA were included. Results: After CA (mean 1.28 procedures), freedom from AF recurrence is higher in persistent AF than long-standing persistent AF (87%, 66/76 vs 69%, 27/39, P=0.014, follow up duration 585±310 days). Long-standing persistent AF accounts for 29% (20/70) in bepridil group and 42% (19/45) in amiodarone group (P=NS). Characteristic parameters (left ventricular ejection fraction, left atrial diameter and structural heart disease) are not different between two groups. There is no significant difference of freedom from AF recurrence between bepridil and amiodarone (81%, 57/70 vs 80%, 36/45, P=NS). Conclusion: The efficacy of bepridil is comparable to that of amiodarone after catheter ablation for persistent and long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation.
