Amiodarone effectively maintains sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation, and although dronedarone is less effective it has a better safety profile. The choice of antiarrhythmic drug (or nonpharmacological strategy) depends on the ultimate goal of therapy, which should be considered in the context of the patient's clinical presentation and the treatment tailored to the individual.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 print issues and online access
$209.00 per year
only $17.42 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
References
Piccini, J. P. et al. Comparative efficacy of dronedarone and amiodarone for the maintenance of sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation. J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. 54, 1089–1095 (2009).
Fuster, V. et al. ACC/AHA/ESC 2006 guidelines for the management of patients with atrial fibrillation: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines and the European Society of Cardiology Committee for Practice Guidelines (Writing committee to revise the 2001 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation). J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. 48, e149–e246 (2006).
Singh, B. N. et al. for the EURIDIS and ADONIS Investigators. Dronedarone for maintenance of sinus rhythm in atrial fibrillation or flutter. N. Engl. J. Med. 357, 987–999 (2007).
Wyse, D. G. et al. for the AFFIRM Investigators. A comparison of rate control and rhythm control in patients with atrial fibrillation. N. Engl. J. Med. 347, 1825–1833 (2002).
Barquet, P. DIONYSOS study results showed the respective profiles of dronedarone and amiodarone. sanofi-aventis press release [online], (2008).
Kober, L. et al. for the Dronedarone Study Group. Increased mortality after dronedarone therapy for severe heart failure. N. Engl. J. Med. 358, 2678–2687 (2008).
Hohnloser, S. H. et al. for the ATHENA Investigators. Effect of dronedarone on cardiovascular events in atrial fibrillation. N. Engl. J. Med. 360, 668–678 (2008).
sanofi-aventis. Important information on the use of Multaq® (dronedarone) [online], (2009).
Bardy, G. H. et al. for the SCD-HeFT Investigators. Amiodarone or an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator for congestive heart failure. N. Engl. J. Med. 352, 225–237 (2005).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Prystowsky, E. Dronedarone and amiodarone—the safety versus efficacy debate. Nat Rev Cardiol 7, 5–6 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrcardio.2009.221
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrcardio.2009.221
This article is cited by
-
The emerging role of amiodarone and dronedarone in Chagas disease
Nature Reviews Cardiology (2012)
-
The Management of Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Dronedarone’s Place in Therapy
Advances in Therapy (2011)
-
Update Hyperthyreose
Der Internist (2010)