Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequently encountered sustained cardiac arrhythmia.
Effective pharmacological treatment of AF remains an unmet cardiovascular need. The
class III antiarrhythmic drug dronedarone has been developed to provide rhythm and
rate control in AF patients with fewer side effects compared to amiodarone. Dronedarone
significantly reduced the incidence of hospitalization due to cardiovascular events
or death in patients with paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation but was associated
with increased rates of heart failure, stroke and death from cardiovascular causes
in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation. Clinical trial data are critically
reviewed and recommendations for routine practice are discussed.
