Dronedarone for the treatment of non-permanent atrial fibrillation

Dronedarone is recommended as an option for the maintenance of sinus rhythm after successful cardioversion in people with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation:

• whose atrial fibrillation is not controlled by first-line therapy (usually including beta-blockers), that is, as a second-line treatment option and after alternative options have been considered and

• who have at least 1 of the following cardiovascular risk factors:

  • hypertension requiring drugs of at least 2 different classes

  • diabetes mellitus

  • previous transient ischaemic attack, stroke or systemic embolism

  • left atrial diameter of 50 mm or greater or

  • age 70 years or older and

• who do not have left ventricular systolic dysfunction and

• who do not have a history of, or current, heart failure.

People who do not meet the criteria in section 1.1 who are currently receiving dronedarone should have the option to continue treatment until they and their clinicians consider it appropriate to stop.