%0 Journal Article
%T Dronedarone For Atrial Fibrillation: Unbridled Enthusiasm Or Just Another Small Step Forward?
%A James A. Reiffel
%J Journal of Atrial Fibrillation
%D 2009
%I CardioFront
%R 10.4022/jafib.v1.i8.547
%X The Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the marketing of dronedarone (Multaq, sanofi-aventis) for use in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) or flutter (AFL) [with a requirement for a recent episode] that is paroxysmal or persistent   the latter having been converted to sinus rhythm or with conversion planned   who have, in addition to AF, certain  high-risk  markers for adverse outcomes that were derived from the enrollment criteria for the landmark ATHENA trial (1). These markers include one or more of: age >70 yrs, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, prior cerebrovascular accident, left atrial size of 50 mm or larger, or LVEF < 40%. Contraindications include class IV heart failure or symptomatic heart failure with a recent decompensation; second or third degree AV block without a functioning pacemaker; bradycardia < 50 bpm; concomitant use of a strong CYP3A inhibitor or a QT prolonging agent that may induce torsades de pointes; QTc Bazett interval of 500 ms or longer; or severe hepatic impairment.
%U http://jafib.com/published/published.php?id=206&amp;is=current_issue&amp;f=full