Classification and choice of antiarrhythmic therapies

Abstract

Antiarrhythmic medications are categorised according to where they act on the cardiac action potential, and choice of treatment should take into account the type of arrhythmia being managed, patient co‐morbidities and adverse effects. This article discusses the classification of antiarrhythmic therapies, their mechanisms of action, indications and side‐effect profiles, with a focus on the most common type of sustained arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation.