Antiarrhythmic effect of bisoprolol, a highly selective beta1-blocker, in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

Int Heart J. 2008 May;49(3):281-93. doi: 10.1536/ihj.49.281.

Abstract

In the treatment of arrhythmia, beta-blockers are mainly used to regulate the heart rate. However, beta-blockers are also known as drugs with an antiarrhythmic effect due to the suppression of sympathetic activity. We evaluated the antiarrhythmic effects of a highly selective beta(1)-blocker, bisoprolol, in patients with diurnal paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (P-AF). A total of 136 patients with symptomatic diurnal P-AF were enrolled. Patients were divided into a diurnal-specific P-AF group and a diurnal & nocturnal P-AF group, as well as into a bisoprolol single use group and a combined use group with an antiarrhythmic drug. The effects of bisoprolol were evaluated in 3 categories: subjective symptom improvement, quality of life (QOL) improvement, and elimination of P-AF episode in Holter electrocardiograms (ECGs). For patients with effective treatment, a long-term effect up to 24 months was evaluated. Five patients (3.7%) discontinued bisoprolol due to side effects. Following administration of bisoprolol, 109 patients (80%) experienced subjective symptom improvement, 103 patients (76%) experienced QOL improvement, and elimination of P-AF episodes in ECGs was observed in 84 patients (62%). The elimination rate of P-AF episodes in ECGs was higher in the diurnal P-AF group than in the diurnal & nocturnal P-AF group (P=0.042). There was no significant difference between the bisoprolol single use group and the combined use group. A long-term suppressive effect by bisoprolol was observed in 70 of 83 patients (84%). The results demonstrate that bisoprolol has an antiarrhythmic effect against sympathetic diurnal P-AF, improving subjective symptoms and QOL and eliminating P-AF episodes in ECGs.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / administration & dosage*
  • Aged
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Atrial Fibrillation / diagnosis
  • Atrial Fibrillation / drug therapy*
  • Bisoprolol / administration & dosage*
  • Circadian Rhythm
  • Electrocardiography, Ambulatory
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Quality of Life
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-1 / drug effects*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-1
  • Bisoprolol