Contemporary antiarrhythmic pharmacotherapy: revisiting the old, exploring the new

With a significant impact on morbidity and mortality rates worldwide, arrhythmias are a growing global health concern. The most common sustained arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation (AF), affects approximately 2% of the general population, with its prevalence increasing with age. Although significant advancements have been made in non-pharmacological therapies, such as catheter ablation and implantable devices, the basis of arrhythmia management remains antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs). Yet the development of safer and more effective AADs has not kept pace with the increasing burden of arrhythmias. This article aims to briefly explore the current landscape of antiarrhythmic treatment, emerging pharmacological targets, and the potential for innovative drug therapies to reshape clinical practice.