A new antiarrhythmic drug in the treatment of recent-onset atrial fibrillation: vernakalant.
Vernakalant is a new antiarrhythmic agent recently approved in Europe for the rapid cardioversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation. It works by blocking early-activating K+ atrial channels and frequency-dependent atrial Na+ channels, prolonging atrial refractory periods and rate-dependent slowing atrial conduction, without promoting ventricular arrhythmia. Preclinical and clinical trials showed good toleration of this drug. The main purpose of our review is to describe all the trials that led to the incorporation of vernakalant into the current European atrial fibrillation guidelines.
['Vizzardi|Enrico|E|', 'Salghetti|Francesca|F|', 'Bonadei|Ivano|I|', 'Gelsomino|Sandro|S|', 'Lorusso|Roberto|R|', "D'Aloia|Antonio|A|", 'Curnis|Antonio|A|']
D000284:Administration, Oral D000840:Anisoles D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents D001281:Atrial Fibrillation D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic D006801:Humans D011759:Pyrrolidines
Atrial fibrillation Vernakalant Cardioversion