Sotalol.
Sotalol is effective for treating atrial fibrillation (AF), ventricular tachycardia, premature ventricular contractions, and supraventricular tachycardia. Racemic (DL) sotalol inhibits the rapid component of the delayed rectifier potassium current. There is a near linear relationship between sotalol dosage and QT interval prolongation. However, in dose ranging trials in patients with AF, low-dose sotalol was not more effective than placebo. Orally administered sotalol has a bioavailability of nearly 100%. The only significant drug interactions are the need to avoid or limit use of concomitant drugs that cause QT prolongation, bradycardia, and/or hypotension.
Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Tourville Arrhythmia Center, Medical University of South Carolina, 114 Doughty Street, MSC 592, Charleston, SC 29425-5920, USA.
John Alvin
JA
Kpaeyeh
Cardiac Electrophysiology, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Tourville Arrhythmia Center, Medical University of South Carolina, 114 Doughty Street, BM 216, MSC 592, Charleston, SC 29425-5920, USA. Electronic address: whartonj@musc.edu.
John Marcus
JM
Wharton
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D013015:Sotalol
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D013015:Sotalol
Atrial fibrillation; Long QT syndrome; Potassium channel blocker; Sotalol; Ventricular tachycardia