Ibutilide

Ibutilide is a class III antiarrhythmic medication approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for converting acute atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation to normal sinus rhythm. Studies indicate ibutilide's greater efficacy in treating atrial flutter than atrial fibrillation. In addition to its FDA-approved indications, ibutilide is commonly used off-label as a pretreatment for electro-cardioversion and may also be administered post-cardioversion to prevent recurrent atrial fibrillation. Moreover, ibutilide administration might be necessary following surgery. Ibutilide functions as a potassium channel blocker, extending phase 3 of the cardiac action potential. This leads to heightened refractoriness of atrial and ventricular myocytes, along with the atrioventricular node and the His-Purkinje system.