Dofetilide (Tikosyn): a New Drug to Control Atrial Fibrillation
CURRENT DRUG THERAPY WALID I. SALIBA, MD Section of Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing, CREDIT Department of Cardiology, Cleveland Clinic Dofetilide (Tikosyn): A new drug to control atrial fibrillation ABSTRACT OFETILIDE (Tikosyn), a new antiarrhyth- mic drug, can convert atrial fibrillation Dofetilide, a new class III antiarrhythmic agent, selectively and atrial flutter to sinus rhythm in approxi- blocks a specific cardiac potassium channel, lKr, increasing mately 30% of cases and maintain sinus the effective refractory period of the myocyte and thereby rhythm after electrical or pharmacologic con- terminating reentrant arrhythmias. Given orally, it appears version for up to 1 year in 60% to 70% of to effectively convert atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter to cases, without increasing the risk of sudden sinus rhythm and maintain sinus rhythm after conversion in death in patients at high risk. appropriately selected patients. This paper reviews the Such new drugs are needed, as many of the pharmacology of dofetilide, the evidence of its antiarrhythmic drugs in use up to now have effectiveness, and the appropriate precautions in using it. actually produced higher mortality rates in clinical trials than did placebo, or cause unac- ceptable side effects. KEY POINTS This article reviews the mechanism of action, safety, effectiveness, and clinical use of Dofetilide is generally well tolerated but like other class III dofetilide. drugs can cause torsades de pointes. The risk is dose- dependent and can be minimized by adjusting the dosage • PROBLEMS WITH PREVIOUS DRUGS according to creatinine clearance and QT interval, by excluding patients with known risk factors for long QT A variety of drugs have been used to terminate syndrome and torsades de pointes, and by starting or prevent atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, treatment in an inpatient monitored setting for the first 3 but their safety, efficacy, and tolerability in days.
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