Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 28, 2012
Efficacy and safety of dronedarone: a review of randomized trials
Christine Benn Christiansen1, Christian Torp-Pedersen, Lars Køber
1University of Copenhagen, Gentofte Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Niels Andersensvej 65, 2900, Hellerup, Denmark.
Importance Of The Field:
Dronedarone is developed for treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) or flutter (AFL). It is a noniodinized amiodarone analogue and believed to be without the adverse effects of amiodarone. However, long-term adverse effects are not yet well investigated.
Areas Covered In This Review:
This is a review of seven studies on dronedarone.
What The Reader Will Gain:
DAFNE established an effective dose to be 400 mg b.i.d. ADONIS and EURIDIS showed significant prevention of AF/AFL recurrence hazard ratio (HR 0.78 and 0.73) compared to placebo. In ATHENA, cardiovascular death/hospitalization was significantly reduced (HR 0.76) in patients with AF and additional risk factors. ANDROMEDA was stopped because dronedarone increased early mortality (HR 2.13) in advanced heart failure (HF). ERATO found that dronedarone significantly reduced heart rate compared to placebo in patients with AF. DIONYSOS showed that amiodarone was superior to dronedarone to maintain sinus rhythm in patients with AF/AFL.
Take Home Message:
Dronedarone is superior to placebo but less efficient than amiodarone in maintaining sinus rhythm in patients with a history of AF. In patients with AF and risk factors dronedarone reduces cardiovascular mortality and morbidity, but in patients with severe HF dronedarone significantly increases mortality.
Related Concept Videos
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class III Agents as Potassium Channel Blockers
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class I Agents as Sodium Channel Blockers
Class 1A Antiarrhythmic Drugs: These drugs work by moderately blocking sodium channels,...
Dysrhythmias VI: Management of Dysrhythmias
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class II Agents as β-Adrenergic Blockers
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class IV Agents as Calcium Channel Blockers
Verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, inhibits calcium movement across myocardial cell membranes and vascular smooth muscle. This results in the dilation of coronary and...
Dysrhythmias V: Evaluating Dysrhythmias

