Pharmacological therapy for rate or rhythm control in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is often hampered by limited efficacy and (extra)cardiac side effects. Amiodarone is the most effective antiarrhythmic drug for maintaining sinus rhythm in patients with AF. However, treatment with amiodarone may result in severe side effects
2-8 (thyroid, pulmonary, neurological and ocular toxicity) which are related to its high iodine content. Dronedarone is a recently developed new class III antiarrhythmic drug
9 which possesses electrophysiological properties of all four Vaughan-Williams classes. After oral administration steady state plasma levels are reached within four to eight days and the terminal half-life approximates 30 hours.
10 …