RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Dofetilide (Tikosyn): A new drug to control atrial fibrillation
JF Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine
JO Cleve Clin J Med
FD Cleveland Clinic
SP 353
OP 363
VO 68
IS 4
A1 Saliba, Walid I.
YR 2001
UL http://www.ccjm.org/content/68/4/353.abstract
AB Dofetilide, a new class III antiarrhythmic agent, selectively blocks a specific cardiac potassium channel, lKr, increasing the effective refractory period of the myocyte and thereby terminating reentrant arrhythmias. Given orally, it appears to effectively convert atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter to sinus rhythm and maintain sinus rhythm after conversion in appropriately selected patients. This paper reviews the pharmacology of dofetilide, the evidence of its effectiveness, and the appropriate precautions in using it.