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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