title: [New antiarrhythmic drugs for treatment of atrial fibrillation].
abstract: Pharmacotherapy of atrial fibrillation (AF) is demanding, because currently available antiarrhythmic drugs have low efficacy and many side effects. In drug development, the focus has been on amiodarone-like multichannel blockers, atrial-specific ion channel blockers, and novel non-channel agents targeting atrial remodelling. Dronedarone, an amiodarone analogue without iodine, was recently approved for treatment of AF. It is less effective than amiodarone, but serious adverse events are rare. Vernakalant, an atrial-selective drug with low proarrhythmic risk, is effective in cardioversion and it may also prevent AF recurrences. So-called upstream therapy with angiotensin converting enzyme and angiotensin receptor inhibitors, statins and omega-3 fatty acids needs further clinical validation.
authors.affiliation: TAYS Sydänkeskus Oy, PL 2000, 33521 Tampere.
authors.forename: M J Pekka
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Raatikainen
authors.forename: Heikki V
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Huikuri
mesh_terms: D000638:Amiodarone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000840:Anisoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077764:Dronedarone; D015195:Drug Design; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D049990:Membrane Transport Modulators / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011759:Pyrrolidines / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000840:Anisoles; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D049990:Membrane Transport Modulators; D011759:Pyrrolidines; C524581:vernakalant; D000077764:Dronedarone; D000638:Amiodarone