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Recent Advances in Drug Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation
Author(s) -
WIJFFELS MAURITS C.E.F.,
CRIJNS HARRY J.G.M.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of cardiovascular electrophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.193
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1540-8167
pISSN - 1045-3873
DOI - 10.1046/j.1540-8167.14.s9.20.x
Subject(s) - medicine , atrial fibrillation , cardioversion , sinus rhythm , cardiology , intensive care medicine , adverse effect , drug , anti arrhythmia agents , pharmacology
Despite the major new insights into our knowledge of the mechanisms underlying initiation and perpetuation of atrial fibrillation (AF) gained in the last decade, the treatment of this common arrhythmia remains unsatisfactory in many patients. Although several new treatment modalities (e.g., internal cardioversion, pulmonary vein ablation, preventive pacing) have been developed, pharmacologic therapy remains the first‐line therapy in most patients with AF. As illustrated by recent trials comparing rhythm control and rate control, current antifibrillatory drugs are hampered by a relatively low success rate in maintaining long‐term sinus rhythm and the occurrence of proarrhythmic and other adverse events. This article discusses currently available antiarrhythmic drugs for rhythm and rate control, with special emphasis on more recently developed drugs and drugs still under development. Selective blockers of atrial ion channels (I Kur and I K.ACh ), multi‐ion channel blockers, and selective A 1 ‐adenosine receptor antagonists are examples of the newer antiarrhythmic drugs that are expected to be more effective and safer than those currently available. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 14, pp. S40‐S47, September 2003, Suppl.)