LAUSR

Ranolazine is a piperazine derivative, mainly used as antianginal drug in patients with ischemic disease of the heart (IDH). Despite its antianginal effect, it has an antiarrhythmic effect by inhibiting of late sodium and rapid potassium rectifier current. Aim of the study was to assess the additional antiarrhythmic efficacy of ranolazine in patients with new onset atrial fibrillation (AF) and IDH. 168 eligible patients with IDH and short duration of new onset AF were enrolled in this study. Among them, 92 were treated additionally ranolazine to the standart therapy – Group I while 76 only with standart therapy – Group II. The choice of antiarrhythmic drug for cardioversion was either amiodarone or propafenone at the discretion of the doctor. Primary endpoint was recovering of sinus rhythm. All statistical analysis were performed using student t-test. Mean age of patients was 66 ± 11.5 years, male 48% in ranolazine group (Group I) and 64.5 ± 12.0 years, male 46% in Group II, and there were no statistically significant differences between two groups. Both groups of patients were characterized by median AF episode duration of 12 (4; 24) hours. Amiadoron was administered in 70 % (n = 65) of patients in Group I and in 77% (n = 59); propafenon in 30% (n = 17) of patients in Group I and 23% (n = 17) in Group II. Cardioversion rate was significantly higher in Group I than Group II (87% vs. 74%, P < 0.05;). There were not observed safety endpoints in Group I whereas 3 safety endpoints (severe bradycardia and arterial hypotension) were observed in Group II (P > 0.05). Adding ranolazine to the standard therapy in patients with IDH seems to have a beneficial role in restoring sinus rhythm in recent new onset AF.