Risk-benefit profiles of antiarrhythmic therapy.

The American Journal of Cardiology
R W Campbell, K Nimkhedkar

Abstract

Whereas much has been learned of the mechanisms and pathophysiology of cardiac arrhythmias, treatment remains controversial and is largely empiric. Cardiac arrhythmias range in severity from innocuous to fatal; antiarrhythmic agents offer differing degrees of efficacy, inefficacy or toxicity. For an arrhythmia that needs treatment, there is no reliable or easy method for selecting the most appropriate antiarrhythmic drug. Antiarrhythmic treatment is justified for arrhythmias that are symptomatic or hemodynamically significant, the risk of lethality dictating the degree of drug toxicity that might be tolerated. The treatment of prognostically important arrhythmias is indicated if their suppression is rewarded by an improved prognosis. However, these arrhythmias are often merely indicators of a bad prognosis rather than the cause of death. Assessment of the risk-benefit ratio of antiarrhythmic treatment principally depends on the perceived risk and symptomatology of the arrhythmia and the efficacy and toxicity of the antiarrhythmic drug. Beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs offer optimal risk-benefits for the prevention of ventricular fibrillation (infarct survivors and long QT syndrome); disopyramide and the class IC agents offer ac...Continue Reading

References

Jan 1, 1986·The American Journal of Cardiology
Aug 10, 1989·The New England Journal of Medicine·UNKNOWN Cardiac Arrhythmia Suppression Trial (CAST) Investigators
Jan 24, 1985·The New England Journal of Medicine·H L KennedyR J Goldberg
Mar 1, 1985·Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases·S YusufP Sleight
Feb 1, 1988·European Heart Journal·P Jaillon, A Ferry
Mar 1, 1987·European Heart Journal·J P BourkeR W Campbell
Jan 16, 1967·JAMA : the Journal of the American Medical Association·B LownG W Thorn
Jan 1, 1982·Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases·G S MayD L DeMets
Mar 1, 1982·British Heart Journal·K CullenG N Cumpston
Mar 1, 1984·European Heart Journal·R W Campbell
Nov 14, 1984·The American Journal of Cardiology·J T Bigger
Aug 11, 1983·The New England Journal of Medicine·UNKNOWN Multicenter Postinfarction Research Group
Aug 1, 1981·British Heart Journal·W J McKennaJ F Goodwin

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Aug 24, 2010·Fundamental & Clinical Pharmacology·Ingegerd Ostman-Smith
Jul 1, 1991·The Journal of Pediatrics·S M Yabek

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Arrhythmia

Arrhythmias are abnormalities in heart rhythms, which can be either too fast or too slow. They can result from abnormalities of the initiation of an impulse or impulse conduction or a combination of both. Here is the latest research on arrhythmias.

Cardiovascular Diseases: Risk Factors

Cardiovascular disease is a significant health concern. Risk factors include hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia and smoking. Women who are postmenopausal are at an increased risk of heart disease. Here is the latest research for risk factors of cardiovascular disease.

Anti-Arrhythmic Drug Therapies

Anti-arrhythmic drugs are used to prevent abnormal heart rhythms. These medications are used in conditions including, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation and atrial fibrillation. Discover the latest research on anti-arrhythmic drug therapies here.

Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia that is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, particularly due to stroke and thromboembolism. Here is the latest research.

Adrenergic Receptors: Trafficking

Adrenergic receptor trafficking is an active physiological process where adrenergic receptors are relocated from one region of the cell to another or from one type of cell to another. Discover the latest research on adrenergic receptor trafficking here.

Antiarrhythmic Agents: Mechanisms of Action

Understanding the mechanism of action of antiarrhythmic agents is essential in developing new medications as treatment of cardiac arrhythmias is currently limited by the reduced availability of safe and effective drugs. Discover the latest research on Antiarrhythmic Agents: Mechanism of Action here.