title: Dronedarone: a new treatment for atrial fibrillation.
abstract: Dronedarone. Dronedarone is a benzofuran derivative pharmacologically related to amiodarone but without the iodine moiety. It is designed for the treatment of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. Historically, amiodarone has proved most effective in maintaining sinus rhythm and has been used safely in patients with advanced heart failure. However, its use has been limited by cumulative and often irreversible organ toxicity, especially in younger patients. Dronedarone was developed in an effort to provide equivalent efficacy and safety with less toxicity. Dronedarone has proved efficacious without toxic or proarrhythmic effects and has minimal side effects, but remaining concerns exist regarding its use in patients with advanced heart failure.
authors.affiliation: Thomas Jefferson University College of Medicine, Main Line Health Heart Center, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania 19096, USA.
authors.forename: James C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Laughlin
authors.forename: Peter R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Kowey
mesh_terms: D000638:Amiodarone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000818:Animals; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000639:trends*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D000077764:Dronedarone; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000077764:Dronedarone; D000638:Amiodarone