Expedited loading with intravenous sotalol is safe and feasible-primary results of the Prospective Evaluation Analysis and Kinetics of IV Sotalol (PEAKS) Registry

Background: Loading of oral sotalol for atrial fibrillation requires 3 days, frequently in the hospital, to achieve steady state. The Food and Drug Administration approved loading with intravenous (IV) sotalol through model-informed development, without patient data.

Objective: We present results of the first multicenter evaluation of this recent labeling for IV sotalol.

Methods: The Prospective Evaluation Analysis and Kinetics of IV Sotalol (PEAKS) Registry was a multicenter observational registry of patients undergoing elective IV sotalol load for atrial arrhythmias. Outcomes, measured from hospital admission until first outpatient follow-up, included adverse arrhythmia events, efficacy, and length of stay.

Results: Of 167 consecutively enrolled patients, 23% were female; the median age was 68 (interquartile range, 61-74) years, and the median CHA₂DS₂-VASc score was 3 (interquartile range, 2-4). Overall, 99% were admitted for sotalol initiation (1% for dose escalation), with a target oral sotalol dose of either 80 mg twice daily (85 [51%]) or 120 mg twice daily (78 [47%]); 62 patients (37%) had an estimated creatinine clearance ≤90 mL/min. On presentation, 40% of patients were in sinus rhythm, whereas 26% underwent cardioversion before sotalol infusion. In 2 patients, sotalol infusion was stopped for bradycardia or hypotension. In 6 patients, sotalol was discontinued before discharge because of QTc prolongation (3), bradycardia (1), or recurrent atrial arrhythmia (2). The mean length of stay was 1.1 days, and 95% (n = 159) were discharged within 1 night.

Conclusion: IV sotalol loading is safe and feasible for atrial arrhythmias, with low rates of adverse events, and yields shorter hospitalizations. More data are needed on the minimal duration required for monitoring in the hospital.