Decrease of the atrial fibrillatory rate, increased organization of the atrial rhythm and termination of atrial fibrillation by AZD7009.

Background: The atrial fibrillatory rate (AFR), on AZD7009 as compared to placebo, was investigated as a potential biomarker for electrophysiological effect in early antiarrhythmic drug development.

Methods: Patients with permanent AF received infusions of AZD7009 and placebo in an exploratory two-way, single-blind, randomized cross-over study. The ECG was continuously recorded, and following QRST cancellation the AFR, its standard deviation (SD), the exponential decay and the atrial electrogram amplitude were determined as 3-min averages.

Comprehensive risk reduction in patients with atrial fibrillation: emerging diagnostic and therapeutic options--a report from the 3rd Atrial Fibrillation Competence NETwork/European Heart Rhythm Association consensus conference.

While management of atrial fibrillation (AF) patients is improved by guideline-conform application of anticoagulant therapy, rate control, rhythm control, and therapy of accompanying heart disease, the morbidity and mortality associated with AF remain unacceptably high. This paper describes the proceedings of the 3rd Atrial Fibrillation NETwork (AFNET)/European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) consensus conference that convened over 60 scientists and representatives from industry to jointly discuss emerging therapeutic and diagnostic improvements to achieve better management of AF patients. The paper covers four chapters: (i) risk factors and risk markers for AF; (ii) pathophysiological classification of AF; (iii) relevance of monitored AF duration for AF-related outcomes; and (iv) perspectives and needs for implementing better antithrombotic therapy.

QT response after a test dose and during maintenance therapy with AZD1305 in patients with atrial fibrillation: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Background And Objective: AZD1305 is an investigational antiarrhythmic agent that prolongs refractoriness through combined potassium and sodium channel inhibition. This study aimed to explore the utility of a test dose in predicting QT interval corrected according to Fridericia's formula (QTcF) during subsequent maintenance treatment with AZD1305.

Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial carried out at multiple hospital cardiac facilities in Denmark, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, and Sweden.

Oral direct thrombin inhibitor AZD0837 for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: a Phase II study of AZD0837 in patients who are appropriate for but unable or unwilling to take vitamin K antagonist therapy.

Background: Some patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) cannot be treated with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) and will therefore not receive effective thromboprophylaxis. The primary objective of the present Phase II trial (NCT00623779) was to assess the feasibility of conducting a study with a novel oral anticoagulant, the direct thrombin inhibitor AZD0837, in patients with AF unable or unwilling to take warfarin, by evaluation of dropout rates and compliance.

Methods: Patients were randomised to receive AZD0837 extended-release tablets 150 mg (n=43) or 300 mg (n = 42) once daily, or standard therapy (no treatment, aspirin 75-325 mg or clopidogrel 75 mg once daily; n = 46) for a median treatment duration of 6 weeks.

Prediction of drug-related morphological changes of the T wave.

Objectives: To describe the characteristics of patients presenting with morphological T wave changes that lead to measurement difficulties, and to identify possible predictors of such changes at baseline and early after start of treatment.

Design: ECGs from 145 patients receiving a combined potassium and sodium channel blocking agent for conversion of atrial fibrillation (AF), underwent semiautomatic analysis in a digitalized high-precision analysis program. In 15 patients, one or more ECGs were identified as difficult to interpret due to morphological T wave changes.

Rapid conversion of persistent atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm by intravenous AZD7009.

This randomized, double-blind trial compared cardioversion rates between AZD7009 infusion (15-minute 3.25 mg/min, 15-minute 4.4 mg/min, or 30-minute 3.

T wave inversions following ablation of 125 posteroseptal accessory pathways.

Background: Cardiac memory, electrophysiological remodeling induced by periods of altered ventricular activation, has been observed after resumption of normal activation following ablation of overt accessory pathways. We studied the occurrence and temporal characteristics of cardiac memory (inferior T wave inversions) after ablation of overt posteroseptal accessory pathways.

Methods: T wave changes were assessed in the frontal plane (leads II, aVF, and III) up to one year after the ablation in 125 consecutive patients.