Efficacy of amiodarone for the prevention of atrial fibrillation recurrence after cardioversion

The restoration and maintenance of sinus rhythm is a desirable strategy for many patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) since it has been associated with improvement in symptoms and a better quality of life. Sinus rhythm can be achieved by pharmacological or electrical cardioversion or after cathete...

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Published inCardiovascular Journal of Africa Vol. 32; no. 6; pp. 327 - 338
Main Authors Istratoaie, Sabina, Sabin, Octavia, Vesa, Ștefan C, Cismaru, Gabriel, Donca, Valer I, Buzoianu, Anca D
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published South Africa Clinics Cardive Publishing 01.11.2021
Subjects
Amiodarone
Amiodarone - adverse effects
Anti-Arrhythmia Agents - adverse effects
Atrial fibrillation
Atrial Fibrillation - diagnosis
Atrial Fibrillation - drug therapy
Conversion
Electric Countershock - adverse effects
Electrophysiology
Humans
Quality of Life
Recurrence
Review
Treatment Outcome
atrial fibrillation
electrophysiology
amiodarone
conversion
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Summary:The restoration and maintenance of sinus rhythm is a desirable strategy for many patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) since it has been associated with improvement in symptoms and a better quality of life. Sinus rhythm can be achieved by pharmacological or electrical cardioversion or after catheter ablation of AF. Despite high rates of successful cardioversion, AF recurrence remains a major challenge. Anti-arrhythmic drug therapy currently plays a significant role in maintaining sinus rhythm after cardioversion. Amiodarone is the most commonly prescribed anti-arrhythmic drug for patients with AF. This is due to its particular electrophysiological proper-ties and superior anti-arrhythmic effects in comparison with other anti-arrhythmic drugs. Understanding the cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmogenesis mechanisms may result in identification of new targets for anti-arrhythmic therapy. The aim of this article was to review amiodarone’s clinical pharmacology and evaluate evidence supporting amiodarone for treatment and prevention of AF recurrence after cardio-version.
ISSN:1995-1892
1680-0745
DOI:10.5830/CVJA-2020-060