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Heart (British Cardiac Society) Jan 2024Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a disease characterised by fibrofatty replacement of the ventricular myocardium due to specific mutations,... (Review)
Review
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a disease characterised by fibrofatty replacement of the ventricular myocardium due to specific mutations, leading to ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Treating this condition can be challenging due to progressive fibrosis, phenotypic variations and small patient cohorts limiting the feasibility of conducting meaningful clinical trials. Although widely used, the evidence base for anti-arrhythmic drugs is limited. Beta-blockers are theoretically sound, yet their efficacy in reducing arrhythmic risk is not robust. Additionally, the impact of sotalol and amiodarone is inconsistent with studies reporting contradictory results. Emerging evidence suggests that combining flecainide and bisoprolol may be efficacious.Radiofrequency ablation has shown some potential in disrupting ventricular tachycardia circuits, with combined endo and epicardial ablation yielding better results which could be considered at the index procedure. In addition, stereotactic radiotherapy may be a future option that can decrease arrhythmias beyond simple scar formation by altering levels of Nav1.5 channels, Connexin 43 and Wnt signalling, potentially modifying myocardial fibrosis.Future therapies, such as adenoviruses and GSk3b modulation, are still in early-stage research. While implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation is a key intervention for reducing arrhythmic death, the risks of inappropriate shocks and device complications must be carefully considered.
Topics: Humans; Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia; Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; Death, Sudden, Cardiac; Sotalol; Tachycardia, Ventricular; Defibrillators, Implantable
PubMed: 37433658
DOI: 10.1136/heartjnl-2023-322612 -
Annals of Internal Medicine Jun 2023Amiodarone, the most effective antiarrhythmic drug in atrial fibrillation, inhibits apixaban and rivaroxaban elimination, thus possibly increasing anticoagulant-related...
BACKGROUND
Amiodarone, the most effective antiarrhythmic drug in atrial fibrillation, inhibits apixaban and rivaroxaban elimination, thus possibly increasing anticoagulant-related risk for bleeding.
OBJECTIVE
For patients receiving apixaban or rivaroxaban, to compare risk for bleeding-related hospitalizations during treatment with amiodarone versus flecainide or sotalol, antiarrhythmic drugs that do not inhibit these anticoagulants' elimination.
DESIGN
Retrospective cohort study.
SETTING
U.S. Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years or older.
PATIENTS
Patients with atrial fibrillation began anticoagulant use between 1 January 2012 and 30 November 2018 and subsequently initiated treatment with study antiarrhythmic drugs.
MEASUREMENTS
Time to event for bleeding-related hospitalizations (primary outcome) and ischemic stroke, systemic embolism, and death with or without recent (past 30 days) evidence of bleeding (secondary outcomes), adjusted with propensity score overlap weighting.
RESULTS
There were 91 590 patients (mean age, 76.3 years; 52.5% female) initiating use of study anticoagulants and antiarrhythmic drugs, 54 977 with amiodarone and 36 613 with flecainide or sotalol. Risk for bleeding-related hospitalizations increased with amiodarone use (rate difference [RD], 17.5 events [95% CI, 12.0 to 23.0 events] per 1000 person-years; hazard ratio [HR], 1.44 [CI, 1.27 to 1.63]). Incidence of ischemic stroke or systemic embolism did not increase (RD, -2.1 events [CI, -4.7 to 0.4 events] per 1000 person-years; HR, 0.80 [CI, 0.62 to 1.03]). The risk for death with recent evidence of bleeding (RD, 9.1 events [CI, 5.8 to 12.3 events] per 1000 person-years; HR, 1.66 [CI, 1.35 to 2.03]) was greater than that for other deaths (RD, 5.6 events [CI, 0.5 to 10.6 events] per 1000 person-years; HR, 1.15 [CI, 1.00 to 1.31]) (HR comparison: = 0.003). The increased incidence of bleeding-related hospitalizations for rivaroxaban (RD, 28.0 events [CI, 18.4 to 37.6 events] per 1000 person-years) was greater than that for apixaban (RD, 9.1 events [CI, 2.8 to 15.3 events] per 1000 person-years) ( = 0.001).
LIMITATION
Possible residual confounding.
CONCLUSION
In this retrospective cohort study, patients aged 65 years or older with atrial fibrillation treated with amiodarone during apixaban or rivaroxaban use had greater risk for bleeding-related hospitalizations than those treated with flecainide or sotalol.
PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Female; United States; Male; Rivaroxaban; Atrial Fibrillation; Amiodarone; Flecainide; Sotalol; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; Retrospective Studies; Medicare; Hemorrhage; Anticoagulants; Ischemic Stroke; Hospitalization; Embolism; Stroke; Dabigatran
PubMed: 37216662
DOI: 10.7326/M22-3238 -
The Veterinary Clinics of North... Apr 2019Many cardiac therapeutics lack significant evidence of benefit in the horse, and in many cases their use is based on extrapolation of evidence from other species. In... (Review)
Review
Many cardiac therapeutics lack significant evidence of benefit in the horse, and in many cases their use is based on extrapolation of evidence from other species. In recent years there has been a push to develop a better understanding of both the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of these drugs. Recent data have described the use of antiarrhythmic agents including sotalol, flecainide, and amiodarone. Data about the use of ACE inhibitors in the management of congestive heart failure are encouraging and support their use in certain cases, wheras evidence for other medicines, such as pimobendan, remain speculative.
Topics: Animals; Cardiovascular Agents; Heart Diseases; Horse Diseases; Horses
PubMed: 30871828
DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2018.11.004 -
Herzschrittmachertherapie &... Jun 2021When deciding on antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) treatment, a thorough knowledge of the physiological adaptation processes that occur during pregnancy and their effect on... (Review)
Review
When deciding on antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) treatment, a thorough knowledge of the physiological adaptation processes that occur during pregnancy and their effect on metabolism and the efficacy of AAD is mandatory. Beyond the desired effects of AAD therapy, side effects can occur in pregnant women. Furthermore, potential harm to fetal development-depending on gestational age-needs to be considered. A thorough evaluation of potential risks opposed to expected benefits for mother and fetus should be carried out before initiation of AAD treatment. Regular maternal echocardiography and fetal sonographic examination during pregnancy under AAD treatment are advisable. If possible, serum concentrations of AAD should be measured on a regular basis. Due to electrolyte and volume imbalances after delivery, maternal monitoring is recommended for approximately 48 h under AAD therapy. Current guidelines are based on almost historic analyses, where AAD were often prescribed for other indications than rhythm disorders. In clinical practice, AAD predominantly used during pregnancy are intravenous adenosine for acute treatment of atrioventricular nodal dependent tachycardias, whereas betablockers, sotalol, and flecainide can be orally administered for long-term therapy.
Topics: Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Tachycardia, Supraventricular
PubMed: 33779803
DOI: 10.1007/s00399-021-00759-2 -
Current Treatment Options in... Jan 2017Fetal arrhythmia is a common reason for referral to fetal cardiology. Fetal supraventricular tachycardia can be subdivided into several groups with the most common being... (Review)
Review
Fetal arrhythmia is a common reason for referral to fetal cardiology. Fetal supraventricular tachycardia can be subdivided into several groups with the most common being re-entrant supraventricular tachycardia and atrial flutter. Fetal tachycardia can lead to hydrops fetalis, which increases the risk of fetal demise, perinatal morbidities, and premature delivery. The diagnosis of fetal tachycardia can be a challenge as a traditional electrocardiogram cannot be completed on a fetus, and other methods must be used by fetal echocardiogram. Several retrospective studies have been completed to determine the best treatment; however, there continues to be no consensus on the best option. Digoxin, flecainide, and sotalol are commonly used and have favorable results depending on gestational age, fetal well-being, and presence of hydrops. Treatment in a timely manner can convert supraventricular tachycardia to a normal fetal heart rate, and hydrops can resolve with delivery at term if the proper medications are used.
PubMed: 28265962
DOI: 10.1007/s11936-017-0506-x -
Primary Care Mar 2024Ventricular tachyarrhythmias remain a major cause of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) that leads to sudden cardiac death (SCD). Primary prevention strategies to prevent SCD... (Review)
Review
Ventricular tachyarrhythmias remain a major cause of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) that leads to sudden cardiac death (SCD). Primary prevention strategies to prevent SCD include promoting a healthy lifestyle, following United States Preventive Service Task Force recommendations related to cardiovascular disease, and controlling comorbid conditions. For a patient experiencing SCA, early cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation should be performed. Implantable cardioverter defibrillators are more effective at secondary prevention compared with drug therapy but medications such as amiodarone, beta-blockers, and sotalol may be helpful adjuncts to reduce the risk of SCD or improve a patient's symptoms (eg, palpitations and inappropriate defibrillator shocks).
Topics: Humans; Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Death, Sudden, Cardiac; Heart Arrest; Defibrillators, Implantable; Sotalol
PubMed: 38278568
DOI: 10.1016/j.pop.2023.07.008 -
Journal of Cardiovascular... Mar 2022
Topics: Administration, Intravenous; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; Atrial Fibrillation; Humans; Sotalol
PubMed: 34951497
DOI: 10.1111/jce.15339 -
American Journal of Therapeutics 2019Despite proven effectiveness in treating tachyarrhythmias, sotalol is proarrhythmic and can cause torsades de pointes. Given the emergence of studies that show no... (Review)
Review
Despite proven effectiveness in treating tachyarrhythmias, sotalol is proarrhythmic and can cause torsades de pointes. Given the emergence of studies that show no benefit from rhythm control strategies in managing atrial fibrillation, as well as the introduction of nonpharmacological approaches to treating arrhythmias, we felt it necessary to ascertain if there was any role for sotalol given its side effects. Review of the literature regarding sotalol use in the prevention and treatment of supraventricular and ventricular tachyarrhythmias seems to show that more effective and safer agents and nonpharmacological alternatives are currently available. However, sotalol still seems to be useful in preventing supraventricular tachyarrhythmias postcardiac surgery and in reverting hemodynamically stable sustained ventricular tachycardias in the setting of coronary artery disease. Its role in the prevention of tachyarrhythmias in the setting of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy requires further investigation.
Topics: Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia; Atrial Fibrillation; Cardiac Surgical Procedures; Humans; Recurrence; Secondary Prevention; Sotalol; Tachycardia, Supraventricular; Torsades de Pointes; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 27759583
DOI: 10.1097/MJT.0000000000000507 -
Biomedicines Apr 2023Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a heritable progressive myocardial disorder that predisposes patients to ventricular arrhythmias and sudden... (Review)
Review
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a heritable progressive myocardial disorder that predisposes patients to ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Antiarrhythmic medications have an important role in reducing the frequency of ventricular arrhythmias and the morbidity associated with recurrent implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) shocks. Although several studies have examined the use of antiarrhythmic drugs in ARVC, these have been mostly retrospective in nature and inconsistent in their methodology, patient population and endpoints. Thus, current prescribing practices are largely based on expert opinion and extrapolation from other diseases. Herein, we discuss the major studies of the use of antiarrhythmics in ARVC, present the current approach employed at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and identify areas where further research is needed. Most notably, there is a great need for high-quality studies with consistent methodology and randomized controlled trial data into the use of antiarrhythmic drugs in ARVC. This would improve management of the condition and ensure antiarrhythmic prescribing is based on robust evidence.
PubMed: 37189831
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11041213 -
Circulation. Arrhythmia and... Aug 2023Sotalol and dronedarone are both used for maintenance of sinus rhythm for patients with atrial fibrillation. However, while sotalol requires initial monitoring for QT...
BACKGROUND
Sotalol and dronedarone are both used for maintenance of sinus rhythm for patients with atrial fibrillation. However, while sotalol requires initial monitoring for QT prolongation and proarrhythmia, dronedarone does not. These treatments can be used in comparable patients, but their safety and effectiveness have not been compared head to head. Therefore, we retrospectively evaluated the effectiveness and safety using data from a large health care system.
METHODS
Using Veterans Health Administration data, we identified 11 296 antiarrhythmic drug-naive patients with atrial fibrillation prescribed dronedarone or sotalol in 2012 or later. We excluded patients with prior conduction disease, pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, ventricular arrhythmia, cancer, renal failure, liver disease, or heart failure. We used natural language processing to identify and compare baseline left ventricular ejection fraction between treatment arms. We used 1:1 propensity score matching, based on patient demographics, comorbidities, and medications, and Cox regression to compare strategies. To evaluate residual confounding, we performed falsification analysis with nonplausible outcomes.
RESULTS
The matched cohort comprised 6212 patients (3106 dronedarone and 3106 sotalol; mean [±SD] age, 71±10 years; 2.5% female; mean [±SD] CHADS-VASC, 2±1.3). The mean (±SD) left ventricular ejection fraction was 55±11 and 58±10 for dronedarone and sotalol users, correspondingly. Dronedarone, compared with sotalol, did not demonstrate a significant association with risk of cardiovascular hospitalization (hazard ratio, 1.03 [95% CI, 0.88-1.21]) or all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.68-1.16]). However, dronedarone was associated with significantly lower risk of ventricular proarrhythmic events (hazard ratio, 0.53 [95% CI, 0.38-0.74]) and symptomatic bradycardia (hazard ratio, 0.56 [95% CI, 0.37-0.87]). The primary findings were stable across sensitivity analyses. Falsification analyses were not significant.
CONCLUSIONS
Dronedarone, compared with sotalol, was associated with a lower risk of ventricular proarrhythmic events and conduction disorders while having no difference in risk of incident cardiovascular hospitalization and mortality. These observational data provide the basis for prospective efficacy and safety trials.
Topics: Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Male; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; Dronedarone; Sotalol; Atrial Fibrillation; Retrospective Studies; Prospective Studies; Stroke Volume; Veterans; Ventricular Function, Left; Amiodarone
PubMed: 37485722
DOI: 10.1161/CIRCEP.123.011893