Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 27, 2026

Adjunctive Diode Laser Therapy and Probiotic Lactobacillus Therapy in the Treatment of Periodontitis and Peri-Implant Disease
06:06

Adjunctive Diode Laser Therapy and Probiotic Lactobacillus Therapy in the Treatment of Periodontitis and Peri-Implant Disease

Published on: May 9, 2022

3.1K

Anti-arrhythmic drug therapy in implantable cardioverter-defibrillator recipients

Ahmed AlTurki1, Riccardo Proietti2, Vincenzo Russo3

  • 1Division of Cardiology, McGill University Health Center, Quebec, Canada.

Pharmacological Research
|March 28, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Anti-arrhythmic drugs (AADs) complement implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) for ventricular arrhythmias. Beta blockers are a safe first-line option, while amiodarone offers superior efficacy but with more side effects.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are crucial for preventing ventricular arrhythmias.
  • Adverse effects from ICD shocks necessitate adjunctive anti-arrhythmic drug (AAD) therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of AADs in conjunction with ICDs for ventricular arrhythmia management.
  • To compare the efficacy and safety profiles of various AADs.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of pharmacological agents used in ventricular arrhythmia prevention.
  • Analysis of clinical trial data and guidelines for AADs in ICD patients.

Main Results:

  • Beta blockers are effective and safe for primary/secondary prevention of ventricular arrhythmias.
  • Amiodarone demonstrates superior efficacy over beta blockers and sotalol but has significant long-term side effects.
  • Sotalol and mexiletine offer a better side effect profile than amiodarone but are less effective.
  • Emerging agents like dofetilide, azimilide, and ranolazine require further study for secondary prevention.
  • Beta blockers and amiodarone are key in managing electrical storm, reducing arrhythmia frequency and ICD interventions.

Conclusions:

  • AAD selection for ICD patients requires balancing efficacy, safety, and individual patient factors.
  • Beta blockers and amiodarone remain central to managing ventricular arrhythmias and electrical storm in ICD recipients.

Keywords:
Anti-arrhythmic drugsImplantable cardioverter-defibrillatorVentricular arrhythmiasVentricular tachycardia

More Related Videos

Method for Novel Anti-Cancer Drug Development using Tumor Explants of Surgical Specimens09:26

Method for Novel Anti-Cancer Drug Development using Tumor Explants of Surgical Specimens

Published on: July 29, 2011

17.0K
Development and Maintenance of a Preclinical Patient Derived Tumor Xenograft Model for the Investigation of Novel Anti-Cancer Therapies09:29

Development and Maintenance of a Preclinical Patient Derived Tumor Xenograft Model for the Investigation of Novel Anti-Cancer Therapies

Published on: September 30, 2016

14.3K

Related Concept Videos

Drug Therapy01:28

Drug Therapy

The advent of drug therapy has profoundly shaped modern mental health care, providing targeted treatments for a range of psychological disorders. Psychotherapeutic drugs, classified into antianxiety, antidepressant, and antipsychotic medications, address symptoms across anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and schizophrenia. While these medications have transformed patient outcomes, they require careful management due to their potential side effects and limitations.
Antianxiety Medications
261
Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs01:25

Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition for which new therapeutic avenues, including anti-inflammatory drugs like mast cell stabilizers and anti-IgE treatments, continue to be developed.
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...
1.8K
Drug Administration and Therapy Phases: Overview01:26

Drug Administration and Therapy Phases: Overview

Drugs, the chemical agents used in diagnosing, treating, or preventing diseases, undergo a four-phase process of development: pharmaceutic, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and therapeutic.
The pharmaceutical phase focuses on leveraging the physicochemical properties of the drug to design and manufacture an effective product. Variants include orally administered tablets or capsules, topical creams or ointments, and parenteral-delivery solutions or emulsions.
The pharmacokinetic phase...
1.4K
Hypertension IV: Drug Therapy and Lifestyle Modifications01:28

Hypertension IV: Drug Therapy and Lifestyle Modifications

Multiple classes of antihypertensive medications are employed in treating hypertension. The most commonly recommended first-line treatments include:Thiazide Diuretics, such as chlorthalidone, increase sodium and water excretion from the body, reducing blood volume and blood pressure.Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, like lisinopril, block the conversion of angiotensin I to II, a potent vasoconstrictor lowering blood pressure.Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs) prevent angiotensin II...
652
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF01:24

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF

Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), a proinflammatory cytokine, contributes significantly to the inflammation seen in Crohn's disease. It exists as soluble TNF and membrane-bound TNF, with actions mediated through TNF receptors (TNFR). TNFR activation leads to the release of proinflammatory cytokines, T-cell activation, collagen production, and leukocyte migration, all contributing to inflammation in Crohn's disease. Anti-TNF monoclonal antibodies, namely infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab...
524
Extracorporeal Removal of Drugs: Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy01:26

Extracorporeal Removal of Drugs: Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy

Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) is an essential intervention for patients experiencing severe kidney dysfunction. This therapy offers a continuous mechanism for removing fluids and toxins from the bloodstream, leveraging the patient’s blood pressure to facilitate filtration through a specialized filter. This method contrasts with intermittent dialysis, providing a gentler and more consistent removal of waste products and excess fluid, which is particularly beneficial in...
202