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Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Investigational Drug Offers Gentler Afib Remedy


HRS: Investigational Drug Offers Gentler Afib Remedy


By Peggy Peck, Executive Editor, MedPage Today
Published: May 18, 2009
Reviewed by Zalman S. Agus, MD; Emeritus Professor
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.


BOSTON, May 18 -- An investigational antiarrhythmic drug may be as effective as amiodarone for treatment of paroxymal atrial fibrillation, but less toxic, researchers here reported.
Action Points  
Patients who took 600 mg of budiodarone twice a day in a Phase II trial reduced atrial fibrillation burden by a median of 75.5% compared with placebo, according to Michael Ezekowitz, M.B. Ch.B., D.Phil., of Lankenau Institute for Medical Research in Wynnewood, Pa.
Budiodarone is a chemical analogue of amiodarone with two important differences -- a shorter half-life and improved clearance mechanism, both of which appear to make the drug a softer, gentler amiodarone.
Dr. Ezekowitz reported results of the trial, called PASCAL, at a late-breaking clinical trials plenary session at the annual meeting of the Heart Rhythm Society. /.../

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