Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a highly prevalent arrhythmia and responsible for significant morbidity, mortality and health care cost. Considerable work has been performed to improve medical options but treatment success still remains suboptimal. The use of conventional anti-arrhythmic agents has been limited by potentially fatal ventricular proarrhythmia. Thus, novel drug targets have been characterised and are currently being tested in experimental and clinical studies. The atrially (but not ventricularly) expressed ion channel subunit Kv1.5 (conducting the ultra-rapid delayed rectifier, IKur) is a prominent candidate. A variety of drugs that inhibit this current is being evaluated. Human experience with these agents is limited. Atrial expression of connexin 40 and downregulation of this protein in AF turn its modulation into a potential therapeutic approach. The acetylcholine-activated current (IKACh) is another novel candidate target for drug therapy. The constitutively active form of this current is increased in human AF and pharmacological inhibition might be of therapeutic value. Certain drugs have IKACh blocking properties, but as for IKur-blockers none to date has shown pure selectivity for this current. This article summarizes relevant aspects of the cellular electrophysiology of AF and reviews the actions of pharmacological agents presently available or in development as novel anti-arrhythmic therapy.
Keywords: Atrial fibrillation, pharmacotherapy, HERG, proarrhythmia, ventricular fibrillation
Current Vascular Pharmacology
Title: Novel Anti-Arrhythmic Drugs for Atrial Fibrillation Management
Volume: 5 Issue: 3
Author(s): Joachim R. Ehrlich, Stanley Nattel and Stefan H. Hohnloser
Affiliation:
Keywords: Atrial fibrillation, pharmacotherapy, HERG, proarrhythmia, ventricular fibrillation
Abstract: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a highly prevalent arrhythmia and responsible for significant morbidity, mortality and health care cost. Considerable work has been performed to improve medical options but treatment success still remains suboptimal. The use of conventional anti-arrhythmic agents has been limited by potentially fatal ventricular proarrhythmia. Thus, novel drug targets have been characterised and are currently being tested in experimental and clinical studies. The atrially (but not ventricularly) expressed ion channel subunit Kv1.5 (conducting the ultra-rapid delayed rectifier, IKur) is a prominent candidate. A variety of drugs that inhibit this current is being evaluated. Human experience with these agents is limited. Atrial expression of connexin 40 and downregulation of this protein in AF turn its modulation into a potential therapeutic approach. The acetylcholine-activated current (IKACh) is another novel candidate target for drug therapy. The constitutively active form of this current is increased in human AF and pharmacological inhibition might be of therapeutic value. Certain drugs have IKACh blocking properties, but as for IKur-blockers none to date has shown pure selectivity for this current. This article summarizes relevant aspects of the cellular electrophysiology of AF and reviews the actions of pharmacological agents presently available or in development as novel anti-arrhythmic therapy.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Joachim R. Ehrlich , Stanley Nattel and Stefan H. Hohnloser , Novel Anti-Arrhythmic Drugs for Atrial Fibrillation Management, Current Vascular Pharmacology 2007; 5 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157016107781024073
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157016107781024073 |
Print ISSN 1570-1611 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-6212 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Ischemic Cardiovascular Diseases: Mechanisms, Diagnosis and Therapy
Ischemic cardiovascular disease includes myocardial infarction, coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, angina pectoris, etc., constitute the leading cause of patient mortality by preventing tissues from getting sufficient oxygen and nutrients. Ischemic heart disease, as a clinical condition, is characterized by myocardial ischemia, causing an imbalance between myocardial blood supply and demand, ...read more
TREATMENT OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE IN CHRONIC AND END STAGE KIDNEY DISEASE
Cardiovascular disease still remains the leading cause of death in Chronic and End Stage Kidney Disease, accounting for more than half of all deaths in dialysis patients. During the past decade, research has been focused on novel therapeutic agents that might delay or even reverse cardiovascular disease and vascular calcification, ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Polyphenols: Biological Activities, Molecular Targets, and the Effect of Methylation
Current Molecular Pharmacology Thyroid Hormones and Cardiovascular System: From Bench to Bedside
Current Drug Therapy Intervention for Cardiac Repair: A Clinical Perspective
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy High Sensitivity C-reactive Protein and Cardiovascular Risk Prediction
Current Pharmaceutical Analysis Novel Anti-arrhythmic Medications in the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation
Current Cardiology Reviews Adrenoceptor Polymorphisms in Hypertension and Diabetes with Obesity- Update in 2013
Current Hypertension Reviews Development of Functional Dark Chocolate by Incorporating Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) Oil and Honey with Improved Organoleptic and Textural Attributes
Current Nutrition & Food Science Cytochrome P450 Drug Metabolizing Enzymes in Roma Population Samples: Systematic Review of the Literature
Current Medicinal Chemistry Transcription Factors in Heart: Promising Therapeutic Targets in Cardiac Hypertrophy
Current Cardiology Reviews New-Onset Hyperglycemia and Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Systematic Overview and Meta-Analysis
Current Diabetes Reviews Fungal Bioactive Compounds in Pharmaceutical Research and Development
Current Bioactive Compounds Assessment of Endothelial Function by Positron Emission Tomography
Current Cardiology Reviews Alterations of the Kidney Cortex Proteome in Response to Exercise Training in Normoglycemic and Hyperglycemic Conditions
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Natural Compounds and Drug Discovery: Can Cnidarian Venom Play a Role?
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Interrelationships with Metabolic Syndrome, Obesity and Cardiovascular Risk
Current Vascular Pharmacology Biological and Pharmacological Effects of Gamma-oryzanol: An Updated Review of the Molecular Mechanisms
Current Pharmaceutical Design Urine Albumin/Creatinine Ratio, High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein and N-Terminal Pro Brain Natriuretic Peptide - Three New Cardiovascular Risk Markers - Do They Improve Risk Prediction and Influence Treatment?
Current Vascular Pharmacology Gender Differences in the Clinical Presentation of Heart Disease
Current Pharmaceutical Design Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System: A Current Drug Target for the Management of Neuropathic Pain
Current Drug Targets Homocysteine: A Risk Factor in Patietns with Cardiovascular Disorders in Pakistan
Current Bioactive Compounds