title: Ranolazine for the treatment of atrial fibrillation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a frequent occurrence with advancing age and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, the currently available AF therapies have a great deal of side effects.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this review, the authors discuss the evidence upon which the use of Ranolazine as an anti-arrhythmic drug is based. Specifically, the authors review the Phase I-III trials that studied ranolazine as potential treatment for AF. They also discuss the efficacy, safety, tolerability and side effects and compare the MERLIN TIMI 36, HARMONY and ROLE trials.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although ranolazine is considered an anti-angina drug, it may also be, according to the available data, used in patients with AF. Ranolazine has anti-AF efficacy, both alone or in combination with other drugs such as amiodarone and dronedarone. Indeed, its efficacy has been demonstrated in various settings such as the termination of paroxysmal AF, the facilitation of AF electrical cardioversion, and postoperative AF prevention. Although there is a great deal of evidence from pioneering experimental studies, the clinical evidence of the AF-suppressing effect of ranolazine is derived from studies with small sample size or from secondary analyses. A better understanding of the role of ranolazine as an anti-AF drug will be obtained through larger, prospective, placebo-controlled clinical trials in different populations.
authors: University of Genoa, IRCCS AOU San Martino - IST, Department of Internal Medicine , Largo Rosanna Benzi 1, 16132, Genova , Italy.
authors: Gian Marco
authors: GM
authors: Rosa
authors: Ulrico
authors: U
authors: Dorighi
authors: Simone
authors: S
authors: Ferrero
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Brunacci
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Bertero
authors: Claudio
authors: C
authors: Brunelli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D017321:Clinical Trials, Phase I as Topic; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D000069458:Ranolazine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000069458:Ranolazine
keywords: amiodarone; anti-arrhythmic therapy; atrial fibrillation; dronedarone; electrical cardioversion; ranolazine