Vernakalant: A novel agent for the termination of atrial fibrillation.
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Finnin M
Vernakalant: A novel agent for the termination of atrial fibrillation.
Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2010 Jul 15;67(14):1157-64. doi: 10.2146/ajhp080501.
- PubMed ID
- 20592320 [ View in PubMed]
- Abstract
PURPOSE: The pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, safety, clinical efficacy, and role of intravenous vernakalant hydrochloride for the rapid conversion of atrial fibrillation (AF) to normal sinus rhythm are reviewed. SUMMARY: Vernakalant, currently being evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), for the termination of atrial fibrillation, differs in pharmacology from other antiarrhythmics; it achieves action potential interference through blockade of sodium and potassium currents. Vernakalant's actions appear to be directed at relatively atrial-selective potassium currents, which result in lengthening of the atrial action potential and prolongation of the atrial action potential plateau, while not significantly affecting the Q-T interval or the ventricular effective refractory period. As a result, the proarrhythmic effects observed with all other agents approved by FDA for the treatment of AF are eliminated. In clinical trials of vernakalant versus placebo, a statistically significant number of patients converted to normal sinus rhythm after receiving vernakalant. For patients with atrial fibrillation continuing for 3-72 hours, the median time to conversion was between 8 and 14 minutes, with 79% of those who converted remaining in sinus rhythm at 24 hours. CONCLUSION: Intravenous vernakalant, a novel, relatively atrial-selective antiarrhythmic agent, appears to offer an effective and safe approach to the rapid conversion of recent-onset AF to normal sinus rhythm.
DrugBank Data that Cites this Article
- Drugs
- Drug Targets
Drug Target Kind Organism Pharmacological Action Actions Vernakalant Sodium channel protein type 5 subunit alpha Protein Humans YesBlockerDetails