Abstract
A series of antiarrhythmic agents have been demonstrated to be highly effective in terminating recent-onset atrial fibrillation, class IC agents being the most effective [1, 2]. In contrast with the high efficacy shown in treating recent-onset atrial fibrillation, results obtained in preventing recurrences of atrial fibrillation are scanty [3–6]. Table 1 summarizes reported data from the literature. As shown, the percentage of patients who maintain sinus rhythm without arrhythmia recurrence under placebo treatment is around 30% after 3–6 months and around 20%–25% after 12 months. Antiarrhythmic agents may increase the percentage of patients who maintain sinus rhythm, but the overall efficacy is limited and, except for amiodarone, no more than 50% of the treated patients are free from arrhythmia recurrences after 6–12 months. For amiodarone, efficacy rates of 75%–78.5% at 6 months and of 50%–73% at 12 months have been reported.
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Boriani, G. et al. (2004). Which Is the Ideal Drug for Chronic Prophylaxis of Atrial Fibrillation?. In: Raviele, A. (eds) Cardiac Arrhythmias 2003. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2137-2_12
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2137-2_12
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