[Dronedarone]

Abstract

Dronedarone is a new antiarrhythmic agent, approved in January 2010 for the therapy of atrial fibrillation and for rate control in tachyarrhythmic atrial fibrillation. It was developed with the goal of replicating the high antiarrhythmic potency of amiodarone but with fewer side effects. An essential difference compared to amiodarone is the elimination of the iodine substituents in order to avoid the thyroid side effects and the addition of a methane-sulfonamyl group group in order to reduce lipophilicity. In the meantime, the Guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology list dronedarone in the group of antiarrhythmically effective substances along with the class 1c antiarrhythmia agents and amiodarone that can be administered before catheter ablation. Dronedarone is a well-tolerated antiarrhythmic agent, which due to its side effect profile permits its application in an outpatient setting in patients with atrial fibrillation.