Newer groups of drugs for treatment of AF
Newer groups of drugs for treatment of AF include [1]:
- Atrial repolarization delaying agents like vernakalant
- Newer class III agents
- Sodium-calcium channel blockers
- Stretch receptor blockers
- IKACH blockers
- Gap junction modifiers
Intravenous vernakalant has been approved in the European Union for the rapid conversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm. Advantage of vernakalant is that it acts on atrial specific channels without any propensity for ventricular arrhythmias. It blocks atrial-specific potassium and sodium ion channels, prolonging atrial refractory periods slowing atrial conduction in a rate dependent manner.
Reference
- Sony Jacob, Omaima A Ali, Victoria Pidlaoan, Apurva O Badheka, Nicholas Z Kerin. Pharmacotherapy of atrial fibrillation: a pathophysiological perspective and review. Am J Ther. 2011 May;18(3):241-60.