[The role of dronedarone in the contemporary atrial fibrillation treatment].

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia in the daily medical practice associated with increased cardiovascular mortality and stroke. Till now amiodarone is generally considered as the agent with the best efficacy for maintaining sinus rhythm. Despite its efficacy, amiodarone use is often limited by its extensive side effect profile. Dronedarone is benzofuran derivative structurally similar to amiodarone. Due to modification of the chemical structure of amiodarone the new pharmacokinetic properties provide with safety of the treatment. The ATHENA trial showed significant reductions in all-cause mortality and cardiovascular hospitalization with dronedarone use. A post hoc analysis of the ATHENA data also suggested a decrease in stroke risk with this agent. Dronedarone is efficient in the controlling of ventricular rate as well as maintaining sinus rhythm in AF contraindicated in patients with NYHA class III/IV heart failure. Dronedarone use is significantly safer however is less effective in maintaining sinus rhythm than amiodarone. The European Society of Cardiology recommends dronedarone in new Guidelines for the Management of AF as a drug of fist-line treatment, what means the new interesting and safe alternative in the treatment of AF.