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Current Cardiology Reviews

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1573-403X
ISSN (Online): 1875-6557

The Vernakalant Story: How Did It Come to Approval in Europe and What is the Delay in the U.S.A?

Author(s): A. John Camm MD

Volume 10, Issue 4, 2014

Page: [309 - 314] Pages: 6

DOI: 10.2174/1573403X10666140513103709

Price: $65

Abstract

The sudden onset of atrial fibrillation (AF) is often associated with rapid irregular palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath and considerable anxiety. If a patient presents shortly after the onset of the arrhythmia the physician may adopt initially an expectant “wait and see” policy, perhaps with the help of mild sedation and drug therapy to reduce the ventricular rate. If the arrhythmia does not terminate spontaneously and has been present for less than 24-48 hours restoration of sinus rhythm by cardioversion should be considered. This manuscript reviews the option of electrical cardioversion versus pharmacologic and the data for, the role of, and the status of vernakalant with respect to the latter.

Keywords: Atrial fibrillation, amiodarone, cardioversion, vernakalant.


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