Wenxin Keli versus Sotalol for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Caused by Hyperthyroidism: A Prospective, Open Label, and Randomized Study

Figure 2

A typical case of successful sinus rhythm restoration from paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. A 64-year-old male patient was diagnosed with Graves’ disease for eight years. He had paroxysmal atrial fibrillation for three years (a). He was given 6 mCi of ¹³¹I for the treatment of Graves’ disease. And Wenxin Keli (18 g tid) was prescribed during and after the ¹³¹I treatment. Baseline free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, and thyroid stimulating hormone were 21.46 pmol/L, 104.8 pmol/L, and 0.011 μIU/mL, respectively. One month later, when sinus rhythm was restored (b), free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, and thyroid stimulating hormone were 3.35 pmol/L, 12.89 pmol/L, and 4.52 μIU/mL, respectively. At the three-month end-point of the first investigation, thyroid hormones were still normal. After entering the second investigation, Wenxin Keli (9 g tid) was prescribed during the follow-up. His thyroid function maintained normal level, and his heart rhythm maintained sinus rhythm during the rest of the study.

(a)

(b)