Clinical trials have compared<unk>  to placebo and to amiodarone, for its ability to reduce atrial fibrillation, to reduce mortality overall and from cardiac causes, and for its adverse effects, including excess mortality.<unk>  is a non-iodinated class III anti-arrhythmic drug which helps patients return to normal sinus rhythm. This treatment for AF is also known to reduce associated mortality and hospitalizations compared to other similar antiarrhythmic agents. In the EURIDIS and ADONIS trials in atrial fibrillation (2007),<unk>  was significantly more effective than placebo in maintaining sinus rhythm, with no difference in lung and thyroid function in the short term. However, in the ANDROMEDA study (2007),<unk>  doubled the death rate compared to placebo, and the trial was halted early. ANDROMEDA enrolled patients with moderate to severe congestive heart failure, a relatively sicker patient population. In a more recent atrial fibrillation trial, ATHENA, with 4628 subjects,<unk>  was significantly more effective than placebo in reducing the composite endpoint of first hospitalization due to cardiovascular events or death. There was a significant reduction in the rate of cardiovascular death, but not in the rate of death from any cause. Later post-hoc analysis of the ATHENA-results showed a significant reduction in the rate of stroke. Patients randomized to<unk>  were more likely to develop bradycardia and QT-interval prolongation (but only 1 case of Torsades). Nausea, diarrhea, rash, and creatinine elevation also were more common in the<unk>  arm. The PALLAS trial (2011) was stopped for safety concerns due to the finding that<unk>  increased rates of heart failure, stroke, and death from cardiovascular causes in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation who were at risk for major vascular events". A Black Box warning was subsequently added by the FDA stating that the risk of death, stroke, and hospitalization for congestive heart failure doubled in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation. Direct current cardioversion results<unk>  has been tested in some trials as a way to improve the success rate of electrical cardioversion. In one such trial by the Veteran's Administration it was used prepare patients for electrical conversion to sinus rhythm. In the ATHENA study, 25% of patients were started on<unk>  before cardioversion. The results of a recently concluded randomized study (ELECTRA) may clarify the safety and ideal modalities of<unk>  use at the time of cardioversion.
Dronedarone
Colestilan
Digitoxin
Metandienone
Amiodarone
Carteolol
Digoxin
Nebivolol