Journal article
Outpatient initiation of dofetilide: insights from the complexities of atrial fibrillation management during the COVID-19 lockdown
JOURNAL OF INTERVENTIONAL CARDIAC ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, v 63(1)
Jan 2022
PMID: 33484394
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Background At peak COVID-19 lockdown, patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) were faced with an equipoise between a palliative rate-control versus cautious rhythm-control strategy, including hospitalization for initiation of antiarrhythmic drug/s (AADs) and cardiac procedures which was impossible due to hospitalization restrictions. Objectives We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of outpatient initiation of dofetilide in patients with AF using cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) for rhythm and QTc interval monitoring. Methods Adult patients with symptomatic AF with prior failure or intolerance to other AADs were enrolled if they were willing to in-office insertion of implantable loop recorders or already implanted with pacemakers or defibrillators capable of remote monitoring. Exclusion criteria were known medical contraindications of dofetilide and unable to provide consent. After making a shared management decision, dofetilide was initiated in a physician office, and rhythm and QTc intervals were monitored by ECGs and CIEDs. Patients were followed to assess the efficacy and safety of the treatment. Results The study cohort comprised of 30 patients, age 76 +/- 7 years (mean +/- standard deviation), 10 female (33%), CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score 3.25 +/- 1.3, ejection fraction 63.45% +/- 8.52, and QTc interval 431.68 +/- 45.09 ms. From 22 (73%) patients in AF at presentation, SR was restored in 14 (64%) patients after 4 doses of dofetilide. At 46 +/- 59 days of follow-up, maintenance of SR in total 22 (73%) patients without cardiac adverse effects was accomplished. Conclusion Effective and safe outpatient initiation of dofetilide during the extenuating circumstance of COVID-19 lockdown was possible in patients with AF who had CIEDs.
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Details
- Title
- Outpatient initiation of dofetilide: insights from the complexities of atrial fibrillation management during the COVID-19 lockdown
- Publication Details
- JOURNAL OF INTERVENTIONAL CARDIAC ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, v 63(1)
- Publisher
- SPRINGER; DORDRECHT
- Number of pages
- 7
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Drexel University
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000610472400001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85099756893
- Other Identifier
- 991021860755104721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems