[Vernakalant for the conversion of atrial fibrillation of recent onset].
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia. Cardioversion is considered one of the best treatments for recent onset AF, especially with drugs for avoiding sedation. Vernakalant is a novel antiarrhythmic that acts selectively in the atrium, and inhibits potassium currents, with minor blockade of IKr currents in the ventricle. It has been recently approved for pharmacological cardioversion of recent-onset AF in the European Union. The aim of this review is to analyze the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic of vernakalant, and to show the efficacy and safety of this drug for the conversion of AF to sinus rhythm.
Instituto Cardiovascular de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Leonardo
L
Seoane
Adrián
A
Baranchuk
Diego
D
Conde
D000840:Anisoles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011759:Pyrrolidines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D000840:Anisoles; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D011759:Pyrrolidines; C524581:vernakalant
ion channels; pharmacological cardioversion; recent-onset atrial fibrillation; vernakalant