Drug treatment of cardiac arrhythmias in the past has proven difficult because of inadequate effectiveness and a risk of serious complications including the creation of more serious rhythm disorders (“pro-arrhythmia”). Recent advances have opened new possibilities for the development of novel approaches to arrhythmia therapy, particularly for atrial fibrillation and ventricular fibrillation. Targets for novel anti-arrhythmic drugs include ion channels that can be specifically targeted in the atria, ion channels which are specifically involved in triggering ventricular arrhythmias due to acute myocardial ischemia, and ion channels that generate or modulate spontaneous activity. Major companies with activities in the R&D of novel anti-arrhythmics are Sanofi-Aventis, Wyeth, Bristol-Myers Squibb, AstraZeneca and many smaller biotech companies.

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