Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2025

Real-Time Cardiac Mapping with a Noninvasive Imageless Electrocardiographic Imaging System
Published on: April 11, 2025
Sotalol Dosing and Outcomes Among Patients Undergoing Intravenous Loading for Atrial Arrhythmias-A PEAKS Registry
Benjamin A Steinberg1,2,3,4, Richard Holubkov5, T Jared Bunch4
1Department of Medicine, Denver Health Medical Center, Denver, Colorado, USA.
Background:
Sotalol is used for the maintenance of sinus rhythm among patients with atrial fibrillation. However, there is discretion regarding dosing of chronic therapy, and the target oral dose dictates infusion doses for intravenous sotalol loading. To date, use and outcomes by dose are not well-described.
Methods:
In the Prospective Evaluation Analysis and Kinetics of IV Sotalol (PEAKS) Registry, we analyzed outcomes among patients undergoing elective IV sotalol load for atrial arrhythmias (AT/AF). Baseline characteristics, changes in ECG parameters, in-hospital adverse events, and arrhythmia outcomes were compared based on target oral dose (80 mg vs. 120 mg).
Results:
Among 163 total patients, 85 (52%) of patients underwent loading anticipating target oral dose of 80 mg, compared with 78 (48%) for 120 mg. Those targeting 80 mg were older (median age 70 vs. 66, p < 0.001), with similar proportion female (24% vs. 21%, p = 0.71), and without significant differences in comorbidities or renal function. Patients targeted for 80 mg were less frequently kept in-hospital for 2 oral doses after intravenous infusion (45% vs. 89%, p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in rates of sinus rhythm or adverse events during loading.
Conclusions:
Selection of target oral sotalol dose (120 vs. 80 mg) does not appear to be driven by patient characteristics, and may represent an opportunity for improved treatment. In-hospital adverse events are low overall without differences between dose.
Trial Registration:
Clinicaltrials. gov # NCT05247320.
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,...
Heart Failure Drugs: Inotropic Agents
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...
Rational Dosage Regimen: Maintenance Dose and Loading Dose
In most cases, drugs are administered repetitively or infused continuously to maintain a steady-state concentration in the body. At a steady...

