title: Update on atrial fibrillation: part II.
abstract: Antiarrhythmic drugs are an essential tool in the management of atrial fibrillation (AF). Although we are already on the threshold of a large expansion in the use of ablation therapies, these will not, however, be appropriate for all patients, and pharmacological therapies will continue to have an important place in the management of atrial fibrillation. The plethora of antiarrhythmic drugs currently available for the treatment of atrial fibrillation is a reflection that none is wholly satisfactory, each having limited efficacy combined with poor safety and tolerability. Improved class III antiarrhythmic drugs, such as dronedarone, new classes of antiarrhythmic agents, such as atrial repolarization delaying agents, and upstream therapies dealing with substrate, represent potential sources of new pharmacological therapies.
authors.affiliation: St. George's University of London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Irina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Savelieva
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Camm
mesh_terms: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D019086:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003521:Cyclopropanes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006827:Hydantoins; D048289:Imidazolidines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011667:Pulmonary Veins
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D019086:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D006827:Hydantoins; D048289:Imidazolidines; D010879:Piperazines; C086123:azimilide; C059921:tedisamil