Rhythm Control

Rhythm Control

2012

Antiarrhythmics vs ablation

The battle continues between proponents of antiarrhythmic drugs and catheter ablation as first-line treatment for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). At present, it would appear...

Dronedarone (Multaq) – More bad news!

Dronedarone (Multaq) is a benzofuran derivative similar to amiodarone but without the iodine moiety, which is believed to be responsible for the toxic effects of amiodarone, notably...

Ablation success and prior use of antiarrhythmics

Most guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation (AF) specify that patients should not be considered for a catheter ablation unless treatment with at least one antiarrhythmic...

Dronedarone (Multaq) found ineffective

A new study supports the contention that the antiarrhythmic drug dronedarone (Multaq) is largely ineffective and associated with a high incidence of adverse events. Dronedarone is a...

2011

Dronedarone (Multaq) fails in clinical trial

In July 2009 the US Food and Drug Administration approved the antiarrhythmic drug dronedarone (Multaq) for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients without severe...

Long-term efficacy of amiodarone

It is estimated that 3% of Japanese people over the age of 70 years suffer from atrial fibrillation (AF) and this percentage is expected to increase to 4.5% over the next 20 years...

Liver failure associated with dronedarone

Dronedarone (Multaq) was introduced in 2009 as a safe and effective alternative to amiodarone which, although highly effective, has a substantial number of serious adverse...

Catheter ablation as first-line therapy

It is generally assumed that candidates for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) have failed therapy with at least one antiarrhythmic drug (AAD). However, recently published...

Post-ablation antiarrhythmics and AF recurrence

Early recurrence of atrial arrhythmias (atrial fibrillation, flutter or tachycardia) is common following a pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) procedure, but does not necessarily indicate...

Flecainide is safe and effective

Flecainide (Tambocor) is a class 1C antiarrhythmic drug that blocks the inflow of sodium into heart cells thereby slowing conduction through the heart. It increases the atrial...

2010

Changing pattern of drug therapy for AF

Pharmaceutical drug therapy for atrial fibrillation is designed to either re-establish and maintain normal sinus rhythm (NSR) through the use of antiarrhythmic drugs...

New pill-in-the-pocket approach

Flecainide and propafenone are both effective in terminating AF episodes when used on demand at the onset of an episode. Studies have shown that these drugs effectively...

Pill-in-the-pocket warning

The on-demand or "pill-in-the-pocket" approach is now used by many paroxysmal afibbers to quickly and effectively terminate afib episodes and return to normal sinus...

Antiarrhythmic therapy prior to ablation

Having been in permanent atrial fibrillation for an extended period is associated with a poorer outcome of catheter ablation. Japanese cardiologists/electrophysiologists now report...

Comparison of antiarrhythmic therapy and ablation

Antiarrhythmic drug therapy (ADT) is usually the first approach to dealing with atrial fibrillation. However, the long-term efficacy of antiarrhythmics is not great with 60 to 80% of patients...

Ablation versus antiarrhythmics

There is continuing controversy as to which is the safest and most effective way of preventing afib occurrence – antiarrhythmics (AADs) or catheter ablation. Professor Haissaguerre...

Dronedarone (Multaq) – Is it all hype?

Amiodarone (Cordarone) is the most effective antiarrhythmic drug on the market today, although a recent trial found that its efficacy in keeping atrial fibrillation patients afib-free...

2009

Antiarrhythmics post-ablation: Useful or not?

Early recurrence of atrial arrhythmias (atrial fibrillation, flutter or tachycardia) is common following a pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) procedure, but does not necessarily indicate failure...

Disappointing results for valsartan (Diovan)

It is now generally accepted that there is a connection between atrial fibrillation (AF) and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). Aldosterone causes inflammation...

Antiarrhythmics vs. ablation – A cost comparison

The debate over whether catheter ablation or ongoing treatment with antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) should be first-line treatment for symptomatic atrial fibrillation...

Comparison of amiodarone and dronedarone

Amiodarone (Cordarone) is the most effective antiarrhythmic drug on the market today, although a recent trial found that its efficacy in keeping atrial fibrillation patients afib-free...

Safety of antiarrhythmic drugs

A team of Danish researchers report the results of a very large study aimed at determining the safety of antiarrhythmic drugs in a group of atrial fibrillation...

2008

Approval of dronedarone imminent?

Amiodarone (Cordarone) is supposedly the most effective antiarrhythmic drug on the market today, although a recent trial found that its efficacy in keeping atrial...

Ablation versus antiarrhythmics

Although the success of antiarrhythmic drugs in the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) leaves a lot to be desired, it is generally accepted that therapy with 2 or more antiarrhythmics...

Statin drugs are dangerous

Well over a thousand cases of rhabdomyolysis (an often fatal muscle disease) caused by the ingestion of statin drugs (atorvastatin [Lipitor], simvastatin...

Genetic connection with response to antiarrhythmic drugs

There is increasing evidence that the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is involved in atrial fibrillation. (NOTE: This has been discussed in the Conference Room...

Most vagal afibbers receive wrong medication

There is still widespread denial among North American cardiologists as to the existence of vagally-mediated AF (atrial fibrillation) and a pronounced tendency to treat...

Antiarrhythmics vs. ablation

Current guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation (AF) recommend first-line treatment with antiarrhythmics. However, the efficacy of antiarrhythmics such as...

The AFIB Report, Forum and Database do not provide medical advice. Do not attempt self-diagnosis or self-treatment based on our reports.

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