Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 13, 2026
28:13
Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
34.3K
Ranolazine reduces atrial fibrillatory wave frequency
Eric W Black-Maier1, Sean D Pokorney1, Adam S Barnett1
1Duke Center for Atrial Fibrillation and Cardiac Electrophysiology Section, Duke University Medical Center, Duke Clinical Research Institute, PO Box 17969, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
Summary
Ranolazine, an antianginal drug, was found to lower the dominant frequency in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Further research is needed to explore its antiarrhythmic potential for AF treatment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Current antiarrhythmic medications for atrial fibrillation (AF) exhibit limited efficacy and carry risks of severe side effects.
- Ranolazine, primarily an antianginal agent, presents a potential therapeutic option for AF due to possible antiarrhythmic properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antiarrhythmic effects of ranolazine in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).
- To assess the impact of ranolazine on electrophysiological parameters including dominant frequency (DF), f-wave amplitude, and organizational index (OI) in AF patients.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of 15 atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with available electrocardiograms (ECGs) before and after ranolazine initiation.
- Utilized the Duke Enterprise Data Unified Content Explorer database for patient data.
- Analyzed ECGs to determine changes in dominant frequency (DF), f-wave amplitude, and organizational index (OI).
Main Results:
- Ranolazine treatment was associated with a significant reduction in dominant frequency (DF) by approximately 10% (P=0.04).
- No significant changes were observed in organizational index (OI) or f-wave amplitude in patients treated with ranolazine.
- A similar reduction in DF was noted in a subgroup of patients not receiving other antiarrhythmic drugs (P=0.04).
Conclusions:
- Ranolazine demonstrates an association with decreased dominant frequency in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients.
- The drug did not significantly alter organizational index or fibrillatory wave amplitude.
- Prospective clinical trials are warranted to validate ranolazine's efficacy as a novel antiarrhythmic therapy for AF.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Antianginal Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers and Ranolazine
1.7K
Angina pectoris, a primary symptom of ischemic heart disease, requires careful pharmacological interventions. In this context, calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and ranolazine have emerged as crucial pharmacotherapeutic agents, providing deep insights into the complexities of angina management.
CCBs, a diverse class that includes dihydropyridines (nifedipine) and diphenylalkylamines (verapamil and diltiazem), exert their effect by blocking calcium channels in cardiac and smooth muscle cells. This...
CCBs, a diverse class that includes dihydropyridines (nifedipine) and diphenylalkylamines (verapamil and diltiazem), exert their effect by blocking calcium channels in cardiac and smooth muscle cells. This...
1.7K
01:12Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class III Agents as Potassium Channel Blockers
2.8K
Class III antiarrhythmic drugs are a group of medications that can prolong action potentials in the heart. They achieve this by blocking potassium channels or enhancing inward currents from sodium channels. However, these drugs have a unique property of "reverse use-dependence," which is most pronounced at slower heart rates and can lead to torsades de pointes—a specific type of arrhythmia. However, it is essential to note that excessive QT interval prolongation—a measure of...
2.8K
01:20Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class IV Agents as Calcium Channel Blockers
2.5K
Class IV antiarrhythmic drugs, such as verapamil and diltiazem, block calcium channels. They primarily affect the heart, slowing the conduction in calcium-dependent tissues like the SA and AV nodes. These drugs manage reentrant supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and reduce ventricular rate in atrial flutter/fibrillation.
Verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, inhibits calcium movement across myocardial cell membranes and vascular smooth muscle. This results in the dilation of coronary and...
Verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, inhibits calcium movement across myocardial cell membranes and vascular smooth muscle. This results in the dilation of coronary and...
2.5K
01:24Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class II Agents as β-Adrenergic Blockers
2.2K
Adrenergic stimulation generally impacts cardiac rate and rhythm. Specifically, stimulation of the β-adrenoceptors triggers an increase in intracellular calcium ion influx and pacemaker currents, which may cause arrhythmias. Catecholamines like adrenaline also demonstrate β2-adrenoceptor-mediated hypokalemia, impacting cardiac action potential and disrupting the normal cardiac rhythm. Class II antiarrhythmic drugs are β-adrenoceptor antagonists or β-blockers, which...
2.2K
01:22Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class I Agents as Sodium Channel Blockers
3.9K
Class I antiarrhythmic drugs are used to treat various types of arrhythmias or irregular heart rhythms. These drugs block the sodium (Na+) channels in the cardiac cells, thereby affecting the movement of electrical impulses across the heart. Class I antiarrhythmic drugs are divided into three subgroups: Class IA, Class IB, and Class IC, each with distinct mechanisms of action and effects on the heart.
Class 1A Antiarrhythmic Drugs: These drugs work by moderately blocking sodium channels,...
Class 1A Antiarrhythmic Drugs: These drugs work by moderately blocking sodium channels,...
3.9K
01:25Dysrhythmias VI: Management of Dysrhythmias
563
Dysrhythmia management involves a multifaceted approach, incorporating pharmacological treatments, medical procedures, surgical interventions, lifestyle modifications, and patient education.Pharmacological ManagementAntiarrhythmic Drugs:Class I (Sodium Channel Blockers): This class includes quinidine and procainamide, which reduce the speed of impulse conduction in the heart, stabilize the cardiac membrane, and control arrhythmias. Quinidine and procainamide are Class IA agents that prolong the...
563