Dofetilide (Page 2 of 9)

Dose-Response and Concentration Response for Increase in QT Interval

Increase in QT interval is directly related to dofetilide dose and plasma concentration. Figure 1 shows that the relationship in normal volunteers between dofetilide plasma concentrations and change in QTc is linear, with a positive slope of approximately 15 msec/(ng/mL) to 25 msec/(ng/mL) after the first dose and approximately 10 msec/(ng/mL) to 15 msec/(ng/mL) at Day 23 (reflecting a steady state of dosing). A linear relationship between mean QTc increase and dofetilide dose was also seen in patients with renal impairment, in patients with ischemic heart disease, and in patients with supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias.

Figure 1: Mean QTc-Concentration Relationship in Young Volunteers Over 24 Days

Figure 1
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Note: The range of dofetilide plasma concentrations achieved with the 500 mcg BID dose adjusted for creatinine clearance is 1 ng/mL to 3.5 ng/mL.

The relationship between dose, efficacy, and the increase in QTc from baseline at steady state for the two randomized, placebo-controlled studies (described further below) is shown in Figure 2. The studies examined the effectiveness of dofetilide in conversion to sinus rhythm and maintenance of normal sinus rhythm after conversion in patients with atrial fibrillation/flutter of > 1 week duration. As shown, both the probability of a patient’s remaining in sinus rhythm at six months and the change in QTc from baseline at steady state of dosing increased in an approximately linear fashion with increasing dose of dofetilide. Note that in these studies, doses were modified by results of creatinine clearance measurement and in‑hospital QTc prolongation.

Figure 2: Relationship Between Dofetilide Dose, QTc Increase and Maintenance of NSR

Figure 2
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Number of patients evaluated for maintenance of NSR: 503 dofetilide, 174 placebo.

Number of patients evaluated for QTc change: 478 dofetilide, 167 placebo.

CLINICAL STUDIES

Chronic Atrial Fibrillation and/or Atrial Flutter

Two randomized, parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-response trials evaluated the ability of dofetilide to convert patients with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter (AF/AFl) of more than 1 week duration to normal sinus rhythm (NSR) and 2) to maintain NSR (delay time to recurrence of AF/AFl) after drug-induced or electrical cardioversion. A total of 996 patients with a one week to two year history of atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter were enrolled. Both studies randomized patients to placebo or to doses of dofetilide 125 mcg, 250 mcg, 500 mcg, or in one study a comparator drug, given twice a day (these doses were lowered based on calculated creatinine clearance and, in one of the studies, for QT interval or QTc). All patients were started on therapy in a hospital where their ECG was monitored (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).

Patients were excluded from participation if they had had syncope within the past 6 months, AV block greater than first degree, MI or unstable angina within 1 month, cardiac surgery within 2 months, history of QT interval prolongation or polymorphic ventricular tachycardia associated with use of antiarrhythmic drugs, QT interval or QTc > 440 msec, serum creatinine > 2.5 mg/mL, significant diseases of other organ systems; used cimetidine; or used drugs known to prolong the QT interval.

Both studies enrolled mostly Caucasians (over 90%), males (over 70%), and patients ≥ 65 years of age (over 50%). Most (> 90%) were NYHA Functional Class I or II. Approximately one‑half had structural heart disease (including ischemic heart disease, cardiomyopathies, and valvular disease) and about one-half were hypertensive. A substantial proportion of patients were on concomitant therapy, including digoxin (over 60%), diuretics (over 20%), and ACE inhibitors (over 30%). About 90% were on anticoagulants.

Acute conversion rates are shown in Table 1 for randomized doses (doses were adjusted for calculated creatinine clearance and, in Study 1, for QT interval or QTc). Of patients who converted pharmacologically, approximately 70% converted within 24 hours to 36 hours.

Table 1: Conversion of Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter to Normal Sinus Rhythm
Dofetilide DosePlacebo
125 mcg BID250 mcg BID500 mcg BID
Study 15/82 (6%)8/82 (10%)23/77 (30 %)1/84 (1%)
Study 28/135(6%)14/133(11%)38/129 (29%)2/137 (1%)

Patients who did not convert to NSR with randomized therapy within 48 hours to 72 hours had electrical cardioversion. Those patients remaining in NSR after conversion in hospital were continued on randomized therapy as outpatients (maintenance period) for up to one year unless they experienced a recurrence of atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter or withdrew for other reasons.

Table 2 shows, by randomized dose, the percentage of patients at 6 months and 12 months in both studies who remained on treatment in NSR and the percentage of patients who withdrew because of recurrence of AF/AFl or adverse events.

Table 2: Patient Status at 6 Months and 12 Months Post Randomization
Dofetilide Dose
125 mcg BID250 mcg BID500 mcg BIDPlacebo
Note that columns do not add up to 100% due to discontinuations for “other” reasons.
Study 1
Randomized82827784
Achieved NSR60616168
6 months
Still on treatment in NSR38%44%52%32%
D/C for recurrence55%49%33%63%
D/C for AEs3%3%8%4%
12 months
Still on treatment in NSR32%26%46%22%
D/C for recurrence58%57%36%72%
D/C for AEs7%11%8%6%
Study 2
Randomized135133129137
Achieved NSR103118100106
6 months
Still on treatment in NSR41%49%57%22%
D/C for recurrence48%42%27%72%
D/C for AEs9%6%10%4%
12 months
Still on treatment in NSR25%42%49%16%
D/C for recurrence59%47%32%76%
D/C for AEs11%6%12%5%

Table 3 and Figures 3 and 4 show, by randomized dose, the effectiveness of dofetilide in maintaining NSR using Kaplan Meier analysis, which shows patients remaining on treatment.

Table 3: P-Values and Median Time (days) to Recurrence of AF/AFl
Dofetilide Dose
125 mcg BID250 mcg BID500 mcg BIDPlacebo
Median time to recurrence of AF/AFl could not be estimated accurately for the 250 mcg BID treatment group in Study 2 and the 500 mcg BID treatment groups in Studies 1 and 2 because dofetilide maintained > 50% of patients (51%, 58%, and 66%, respectively) in NSR for the 12 months duration of the studies.
Study 1
p-value vs. placeboP = 0.21P = 0.10P< 0.001
Median time to recurrence (days)31179> 36527
Study 2
p-value vs. placeboP = 0.006P< 0.001P< 0.001
Median time to recurrence (days)182> 365> 36534

Figure 3: Maintenance of Normal Sinus Rhythm, Dofetilide Regimen vs. Placebo (Study 1)

Figure 3
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The point estimates of the probabilities of remaining in NSR at 6 months and 12 months were 62% and 58%, respectively, for dofetilide 500 mcg BID; 50% and 37%, respectively, for dofetilide 250 mcg BID; and 37%, and 25%, respectively, for placebo.

Figure 4: Maintenance of Normal Sinus Rhythm, Dofetilide Regimen vs. Placebo (Study 2)

Figure 4
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The point estimates of the probabilities of remaining in NSR at 6 months and 12 months were 71% and 66%, respectively, for dofetilide 500 mcg BID; 56% and 51%, respectively, for dofetilide 250 mcg BID; and 26% and 21%, respectively, for placebo.

In both studies, dofetilide resulted in a dose-related increase in the number of patients maintained in NSR at all time periods and delayed the time of recurrence of sustained AF. Data pooled from both studies show that there is a positive relationship between the probability of staying in NSR, dofetilide dose, and increase in QTc (see Figure 2 in CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Dose-Response and Concentration Response for Increase in QT Interval).

Analysis of pooled data for patients randomized to a dofetilide dose of 500 mcg twice daily showed that maintenance of NSR was similar in both males and females, in both patients aged < 65 years and patients ≥ 65 years of age, and in both patients with atrial flutter as a primary diagnosis and those with a primary diagnosis of atrial fibrillation.

During the period of in-hospital initiation of dosing, 23% of patients in Studies 1 and 2 had their dose adjusted downward on the basis of their calculated creatinine clearance, and 3% had their dose down-titrated due to increased QT interval or QTc. Increased QT interval or QTc led to discontinuation of therapy in 3% of patients.

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