Promising medical news for atrial fibrillation patients
Results of international study represent important advance in atrial fibrillation treatment
~ ATHENA results published in New England Journal of Medicine demonstrated that dronedarone significantly reduces the risk of hospitalization or death in patients with atrial fibrillation ~
Toronto, Ontario (February 12, 2009) – Promising results from the ATHENA study, published today in the New England Journal of Medicine, may change the way atrial fibrillation (AF) is treated in the future. This is the first time that any antiarrhythmic drug has shown an ability to positively affect patient outcomes. Normally, trials set out to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of a drug in treating a particular condition, but rarely is a study on an investigational drug designed to measure morbidity/mortality outcomes.
Now for the first time in two decades, this new study shows that there may be a safe and effective new treatment to improve the management of atrial fibrillation, the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia that is also an established risk factor for stroke and premature death.
Many are unfamiliar with atrial fibrillation, yet it affects up to a quarter of a million Canadians. It is a serious heart condition, characterized by an irregular or rapid heart beat that can be both frightening and debilitating, particularly for the growing number of AF patients who end up in hospital with strokes, congestive heart failure and other heart-related problems.
The study results offer encouraging news for both patients and the healthcare system. For the patient, once the drug is approved, it will represent a new way of managing their condition with fewer side effects and fewer admissions to the hospital. Over the past 20 years, hospital admissions for AF have increased by 66 per cent, largely due to the aging population and a rising prevalence of chronic heart disease. Friberg J, Buch P, Scharling H, et al. Rising rates of hospital admissions for atrial fibrillation. Epidemiology 2003;14:666?. For the healthcare system, it has the potential to significantly reduce costs associated with hospital stays and use of diagnostic services.
ATHENA is the largest single antiarrhythmic drug trial ever undertaken. The study, conducted in 35 countries and enrolling over 4,500 patients, included 27 Canadian investigator sites and 148 Canadian patients. Key results demonstrated that dronedarone:
reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by 24 per cent decreased the risk of arrhythmic death by 45 per cent reduced CV mortality by 29 per cent in patients who have AF
A sub-analysis of ATHENA also showed that dronedarone reduced the risk of stroke in atrial fibrillation by 34 per cent, an important finding, given that 15 per cent of all strokes are caused by atrial fibrillation.
Interview opportunity under embargo: Dr. Stuart J. Connolly, Principal Investigator of ATHENA, Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON
Dr. Paul Dorian Professor of Medicine Division of Cardiology, University of Toronto
AF: A Growing Health Concern:
AF ranks among the top cardiovascular epidemics of the 21st century, together with congestive heart failure, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome Wolf PA, Dawber TR, Thomas HE Jr, Kannel WB. Epidemiologic assessment of chronic atrial fibrillation and risk of stroke: the Framingham study. Neurology. 1978; 28: 973-77.. The condition affects up to 250,000 Canadians; It is estimated that up to 15 per cent of all strokes are due to AF; AF is the leading cause of hospitalizations for arrhythmia; Common symptoms of AF, such as chest pain, weakness, dizziness and shortness of breath, can make simple tasks difficult and cause many patients to change the way they live their daily lives; In Canada, the rate of hospitalization for AF is increasing; the condition is more frequent in men than in women across all age groups; Humphries K, Jackevicius C, Gong Y, Svensen L, Cox J, Tu J, Laupacis A. Population rates of hospitalization for atrial fibrillation/flutter in Canada. Can J Cardiol. 2004; 20 (9): 869-876. Current drugs are limited by serious side effects and, as a result, there remains an unmet medical need for improved antiarrhythmic agents.
For more information or to book an interview, please contact me at: [cid:_2_07B17BA007B175D80051CA938525755B] Marc Esposito Account Associate a: 175 Bloor St East Suite 801, North Tower, Toronto, ON, M4W 3R8 o: 416-847-1344 | f: 416-967-6414 e: marc.esposito@mslworldwide.com
Posted: February 2009
