New drugs for atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia. Epidemiologic studies suggest that the number of patients with AF will triple in the next 30 years, and therefore, its impact on medical and economic issues will further increase. Due to the limited efficacy and significant side effects of antiarrhythmic drugs, much effort has been made to develop alternative pharmacologic treatments for AF. Novel approaches include new antiarrhythmic drugs and novel drug targets involved in molecular, proarrhythmogenic, atrial remodeling. Furthermore, novel anticoagulants are now clinically studied. This review briefly summarizes new developments in the pharmacotherapy for AF.