Results from study of Brinavess (vernakalant IV) shows benefits in atrial fibrillation- Cardiome Pharma

Cardiome Pharma has announced the publication of results from an open label, single-center, randomized controlled study conducted by independent researchers at the Medical University of Vienna in Vienna, Austria. It compared the time to conversion to sinus rhythm (SR) and conversion rate within 90 minutes in patients with recent-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) (less than 48 hrs duration) treated in the emergency department with Brinavess (vernakalant IV) or ibutilide. The study authors concluded that time to conversion of AF to SR was significantly shorter in the Brinavess group compared to the ibutilide group (median time: 10 vs. 26 minutes), and conversion success within 90 minutes was significantly higher in the Brinavess group (69% vs. 43%). There were no serious adverse events observed in either group.

In addition, 59% in the Brinavess group compared to 27% in the ibutilide group converted to SR after the first infusion of study drug. There was no relapse of AF during the 6 hour observation period after successful pharmacological cardioversion in either group. Of those who failed to cardiovert with either pharmacologic agent and then underwent electrical cardioversion, 92% in the Brinavess group compared to 65% in the ibutilide group, were successfully cardioverted after one shock. There were no cases of Torsade de pointes, ventricular fibrillation, polymorphic or sustained ventricular tachycardia, or relevant arterial hypotension in either group. These results were published online on March 22, 2016 in the journal Europace.