The new antiarrhythmic drug vernakalant: Ex vivo study of human atrial tissue from sinus rhythm and chronic atrial fibrillation

Abstract

Aims Vernakalant is a newly developed antiarrhythmic drug against atrial fibrillation (AF). However, its electrophysiological actions on human myocardium are unknown.Methods and resultsAction potentials (APs) and ion currents were recorded in right atrial trabeculae and cardiomyocytes from patients in sinus rhythm (SR) and chronic AF. Vernakalant prolonged early repolarization in SR and AF, but late only in AF. AP amplitude (APA) and dV/dtmax were reduced in a concentration- and frequency-dependent manner with IC50 < 10 M at >3 Hz. Effective refractory period was increased more than action potential duration (APD) in SR and AF. INa was blocked with IC50s of 95 and 84 M for SR and AF, respectively (0.5 Hz). Vernakalant did not reduce outward potassium currents compared with time-matched controls. However, area under the current-time curve was reduced due to acceleration of current decline with IC50s of 19 and 12 M for SR and AF, respectively. Vernakalant had less effect on APD than the IKr blocker E-4031, blocked IK,ACh, and had a small inhibitory effect on IK1 at 30 M. L-Type Ca2 currents (SR) were reduced with IC50 of 84 M.ConclusionRate-dependent block of Na channels represents the main antiarrhythmic mechanism of vernakalant in the fibrillating atrium. Open channel block of early transient outward currents and IK,ACh could also contribute. © The Author 2012.