Dr John M

cardiac electrophysiologist, cyclist, learner

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Alas, a single success…

May 21, 2010 By Dr John

I have waited a long time to see even one dronedarone (Multaq) success story.  In the interest of having a fair and balanced blog, I report my first witnessed favorable therapeutic response to the controversial new Sanofi AF drug, dronedarone.

Four months ago, I saw him in consultation for an inappropriate ICD shock due to rapidly conducting AF.   He is young, has only moderate LV dysfunction, a prior stent, and this was his third recent episode of AF.  I started dronedarone in hopes that it would suppress his AF, and even if it didn’t suppress all episodes, at least it would have rate modulating effects.

At four month follow-up, he showed no AF episodes from his ICD evaluation, and he reports feeling well without symptoms or drug side effects.

Like the pitcher with the no-hitter going in the fifth inning (in dronedarone’s case maybe the third inning),  it is still way too early to celebrate.  Also, one of my partners is still batting zero in his dronedarone experience.  But at least now, I have seen one success, albeit with a very short duration of follow-up.

We will see.

Fair is fair.

JMM

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Filed Under: Atrial fibrillation Tagged With: Multaq

John Mandrola, MD

Welcome, Enjoy, Interact. john-mandrola I am a cardiac electrophysiologist practicing in Louisville KY. I am also a husband to a palliative care doctor, a father, a bike racer, and a regular columnist at theHeart.org | Medscape

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Find me on theheart.org | Medscape Cardiology

  • Electrophysiology commentary on Medscape/Cardiology

Mandrola on Medscape

  • My Medscape column on general medical matters

For patients...Educational posts

  • 13 things to know about Atrial Fibrillation — 2014
  • A new cure of AF
  • Adding a new verb to doctoring: To deprescribe is to do a lot
  • AF ablation — 2015 A Cautionary Note
  • AF Ablation in 2012–An easier journey?
  • Atrial Flutter — 15 facts you may want to know.
  • Benign PVCs: A heart rhythm doctor’s approach.
  • Caution with early Cardioversion
  • Decisions of 2 low-risk cases of PAF
  • Defining success in AF ablation in 2014
  • Four commonly asked questions on AF ablation
  • Inflammation and AF — Get off the gas
  • Ten things to expect after AF ablation
  • The medical decsion as a gamble
  • The most important verb in our health crisis
  • Wellness Requires Ownership

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