title: Ibutilide: a class III rapidly acting antidysrhythmic for atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter.
abstract: Ibutilide is an intravenous Class III antidysrhythmic approved for the treatment of recent onset atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. Pharmacological effect occurs within 30 min, and the efficacy approaches 40%. In contrast to DC electrical cardioversion, which requires anesthesia, pharmacologic cardioversion offers an alternative in which sedation can be avoided. Patients receiving ibutilide should be monitored for at least 4 h after completed drug administration because of a small chance of ventricular dysrhythmia, mainly torsades de pointes. Careful patient selection is the key to avoiding dysrhythmic complications. The purpose of this article is to review the mechanisms, clinical applications, potential complications, and appropriate use of ibutilide.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi 39216, USA.
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Wolfe
mesh_terms: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001282:Atrial Flutter / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D018579:Patient Selection; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D013449:Sulfonamides; C067192:ibutilide