Non-investigational antiarrhythmic drugs: long-term use and limitations.

Background: Long-term use of antiarrhythmic drugs is less important today as curative catheter ablation often is more appropriate, and the use of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators is an option. Many patients, however, still prefer, or are merely offered drug treatment.

Objectives: To review current literature on conventional antiarrhythmic drugs in the intervention and device era, with focus on efficacy, side effects, drug interactions and pro arrhythmic problems in adult patients.

[Amiodarone--still a useful antiarrhythmic drug].

In former days, amiodarone was mainly used as high-dose prescription for serious ventricular arrhythmias. The indication was life-saving and a high incidence of adverse effects was consequently accepted. Such patients are currently protected by an implantable cardioconverter-defibrillator (ICD), and the typical amiodarone patient receives low-dose treatment for atrial fibrillation.

Curative ablation for atrial fibrillation: a systematic review.

Objective: To perform a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF).

Background: Radiofrequency catheter (RF)-ablation around pulmonary vein ostia and in left atrium may reduce or prevent recurrence of AF, as documented in observational studies and registry reports; however, few RCTs are available.

Methods: Using relevant search phrases, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched for RCTs, last time in May 2007.

Digitalis: a dangerous drug in atrial fibrillation? An analysis of the SPORTIF III and V data.

Objective: In heart failure, digitalis increases exercise capacity and reduces morbidity, but has no effect on survival. This raises the suspicion that the inotropic benefits of digitalis may be counteracted by serious adverse effects. Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) were studied to clarify this.

[DNA-based diagnostics of long QT syndrome].

Background: Long QT syndrome is characterised by inherited long QT interval on the ECG and increased risk for syncope and sudden death caused by arrhythmias. For Romano-Ward syndrome and Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome DNA based diagnostics are available.

Materials And Methods: This paper is a summary of our experience with DNA-based diagnostics of LQTS since the autumn of 2003.