Drug Evaluation
Vernakalant (RSD1235) in the management of atrial fibrillation: a review of pharmacological properties, clinical efficacy and safety
Published Online:18 Nov 2008https://doi.org/10.2217/14796678.4.6.559
Abstract
Vernakalant (RSD1235) is a novel antiarrhythmic agent for conversion of rapid onset atrial fibrillation (AF). It is an atria-selective multichannel ion blocker (blocks IKur, INa, ICa, L, Ito and IKr), with a small effect on ventricular repolarization. In clinical Phase II and III studies, vernakalant was moderately (∼50%) effective in converting AF of short duration (< 7 days), and effective (∼70–80%) in converting AF of less than 72 h, but was not effective in converting long duration AF (>7 days) or atrial flutter. Vernakalant seems to have only a small proarrhythmic effect, with no reported cases of torsades de pointes in direct relation to vernakalant administration in Phase II and III studies. Overall, there are few reported serious adverse events.
Papers of special note have been highlighted as: ▪ of interest ▪▪ of considerable interest
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