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Evaluation of dronedarone as a therapeutic option for patients with atrial fibrillation
Author(s) -
Lee E. J.,
Kim J.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.622
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1365-2710
pISSN - 0269-4727
DOI - 10.1111/jcpt.12128
Subject(s) - dronedarone , amiodarone , medicine , atrial fibrillation , cardiology , randomized controlled trial
Summary What is known and objective Atrial fibrillation ( AF ) is the predominant dysrhythmia affecting approximately 2·4 million people in the United States and over 6 million Europeans. Dronedarone is a benzofuran derivative of amiodarone newly approved in 2009 for the treatment of AF . Here, we comment on the efficacy and safety of dronedarone in patients with AF . Comment Eight randomized controlled trials were analysed in this article. Several trials showed that dronedarone therapy delayed AF recurrence, controlled ventricular rate and reduced incidences of hospitalization or death. However, some of the studies were terminated early due to an excess mortality rate. Further studies on long‐term safety and trials on direct comparison to rate controlling medications are suggested to obtain additional insight of dronedarone. What is new and conclusion Dronedarone reduces the incidence of AF recurrences, hospitalization and death in patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF . However, dronedarone should not be used in high‐risk patients with permanent AF or patients with unstable chronic heart failure ( HF ) due to safety concerns.