Antiarrhythmic agents: Modulated receptor applications

Abstract

Since arrhythmias frequently have a multifactorial origin, widely varying characteristics, and evolving nature, it is unlikely that a single drug (even one with multiple actions) will optimally reduce their incidence under a broad range of circumstances. Rather optimized therapy may involve carefully titrated drug combinations. Nonoptimized drug administration may do more harm than benefit. Finally, study of drugs in patients whose conditions are resistant to all traditional agents may bias the discovery of new antiarrhythmic agents in favor for agents that are less effective against more common arrhythmias, or overlook the more universally effective agents all together.