Patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.PATIENTS WITH PERSISTENT ATRIAL FIBRILLATION atrial fibrillationIrregular rhythm (arrhythmia) of contraction of the atria (upper heart chambers). The most common major arrhythmia, it may result as a consequence of increased fibrous tissue in the aging heart, of heart disease, or in association with severe infection. who received dronedarone (Multaq[R]) in a controlled trial experienced a high risk of death, stroke, and hospitalization for heart failure. The trial was halted when it was discovered that this risk had developed. The Food and Drug Administration (F.D.A.) intended to review the data from the trial. For now, patients taking dronedarone for nonpermanent atrial fibrillation should continue to take it, but this medication should not be newly prescribed to patients with permanent atrial fibrillation. This medication is approved to treat paroxysmal paroxysmal (per´  ksiz´ml),adj recurring in paroxysms. atrial fibrillation (intermittent), persistent atrial fibrillation, or atrial flutter atrial flutter n. Rapid regular atrial contractions occurring usually at rates between 250 and 400 per minute and often producing saw-tooth waves in an electrocardiogram. Also called auricular flutter. . It was approved by the F.D.A. in 2009 after the ATHENA clinical trial showed that it decreased deaths in patients with non-permanent atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. (Source: F.D.A. MedWatch Alert, August 2011.) |
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