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Despite the increasing number of antiarrythmic agents, treatment for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) remains problematic. Class I (quinidine, flecainide, and propafenone) and class III (amiodarone) agents are effective for 50 percent to 70 percent of cases, but concern exists about their long-term safety. Sotalol's ability to prolong cardiac action potentials and its beta-blocking properties have increased its popularity as a first-line agent for treatment of PAF. This prospective, randomized, open-label British study compared the effects of sotalol (80 mg twice daily for one month) and atenolol (50 mg daily for one month) on the frequency of PAF after cardiac surgery for 47 consecutive outpatients. Patients with uncontrolled hypertens…