Anti-arrhythmic agents

A review of the patent literature for anti-arrhythmic agents is presented for the period of 1995 - 1996. Potassium channel blockade or Class III anti-arrhythmic agents have remained the main focus for this period. This emphasis is the result of the CAST clinical trials in 1989 which discouraged the pursuit of the Class I agents because of increased patient mortality. Multicentre clinical studies have sought to define the utility of the Class III agents. Compounds have been disclosed during this review acting through the blockade oi rapidly activating delayed rectifier (I-kr), and slowly activated delayed rectifier (I-ks) channels and compounds causing potassium channel blockade in addition to secondary pharmacological actions. Programmes seeking alternate biochemical mechanisms of actions have also been pursued, such as, sodium/hydrogen exchange inhibition and adenosine receptor modulation.