title: Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of dronedarone , a new antiarrhythmic agent for the treatment of atrial fibrillation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Dronedarone is a recent antiarrhythmic drug that has been developed for treatment of AF, with electrophysiological properties similar to amiodarone but with a lower incidence of side effects.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review evaluates the efficacy, safety, tolerability and side effects of dronedarone in the treatment of AF. In particular, the review includes studies comparing: dronedarone and placebo (ANDROMEDA, ATHENA, DAFNE, ERATO, EURIDIS/ADONIS, HESTIA, PALLAS trials), dronedarone and amiodarone (DIONYSOS trial), ranolazine and dronedarone given alone and in combination (HARMONY trial).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dronedarone is an interesting antiarrhythmic agent in well-selected groups of patients. It also has several other pleiotropic effects that may potentially be beneficial in clinical practice, such as the reduction of the risk of stroke and acute coronary syndromes. In addition, combination therapies such as those with dronedarone and ranolazine, currently being investigated in the HARMONY trial, may provide another interesting approach to increase the antiarrhythmic efficacy and further reduce the incidence of side effects. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying dronedarone's pleiotropic actions is expected to facilitate the selection of patients benefiting from dronedarone, as well as the development of novel antiarrhythmic drugs for AF.
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino - IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Department of Cardiology , Largo R. Benzi 1 16132 Genoa , Italy.
authors.forename: Gian Marco
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Rosa
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bianco
authors.forename: Antonello
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parodi
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Valbusa
authors.forename: Camilla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zawaideh
authors.forename: Nicolò
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bizzarri
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferrero
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brunelli
mesh_terms: D000638:Amiodarone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000191:economics / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D000077764:Dronedarone; D016527:Drug Costs; D006801:Humans; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000077764:Dronedarone; D000638:Amiodarone
keywords: amiodarone; antiarrhythmic therapy; atrial fibrillation; atrial flutter; dronedarone