Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of ethacizine in the management of premature atrial and ventricular contractions – a prospective study (ETHAPRO)

BACKGROUND: Premature atrial contractions (PACs) and premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are among the most frequently observed arrhythmias in clinical practice. They represent early depolarizations originating from the atria or ventricles, respectively, and are often detected in both healthy individuals and patients with cardiovascular disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: = 52) were enrolled. All participants had an ectopic burden of >1000 premature beats per 24 h despite prior antiarrhythmic therapy. Patients were treated with ethacizine (50 mg b.i.d.) and were followed at 30-45 days (short-term) and 150-210 days (long-term). The endpoints were a reduction in ectopic burden to ≤1000 beats per 24 h, symptomatic improvement and safety assessments. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: < 0.001). A total of 89.0% of PAC patients and 86.0% of PVC patients achieved the predefined target. Symptomatic improvement was reported in 91.0% of patients with PAC and 85.0% of patients with PVC. Ethacizine demonstrated robust and sustained antiarrhythmic efficacy with a favorable safety profile in patients with refractory PACs and PVCs.