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Dronedarone for atrial fibrillation have we expanded the antiarrhythmic armamentarium?

David Singh1, Eugenio Cingolani, George A Diamond

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and the David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90048 , USA.

Journal of the American College of Cardiology
|April 10, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Dronedarone effectively reduces cardiovascular hospitalizations in atrial fibrillation patients, as shown in the ATHENA trial. However, its overall impact requires careful consideration of mixed clinical trial results.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Clinical Trials

Background:

  • Dronedarone is a novel antiarrhythmic drug approved for atrial fibrillation/flutter.
  • Its approval stemmed from the ATHENA trial, showing reduced cardiovascular hospitalizations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review evidence on dronedarone's efficacy and safety.
  • To provide clinical recommendations for its use in atrial fibrillation management.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of clinical trials evaluating dronedarone.
  • Analysis of the ATHENA trial data and other relevant studies.

Main Results:

  • The ATHENA trial demonstrated a 24% reduction in cardiovascular hospitalization and all-cause mortality.
  • Other studies show mixed results regarding dronedarone's impact on cardiovascular endpoints.

Conclusions:

  • Dronedarone is effective in select atrial fibrillation patients.
  • It is recommended as a second- or third-line treatment option.

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