Management Options in Atrial Fibrillation – The Role of Vernakalant

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice and is associated with significant mortality and morbidity mainly due to thromboembolic complications and heart failure. Furthermore, it is an important contributor to the increasing costs of healthcare. This article provides a short summary of our current knowledge related to some important aspects of AF. Particular emphasis is given to chemical restoration of sinus rhythm by means of intravenous administration of vernakalant (Brinavess , Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd, UK), a novel antiarrhythmic agent that has been approved in the EU and is undergoing marketing approval in the USA.