Heart pill hopes dashed: atrial fibrillation study shut down after just 3 patients

NCT ID NCT04594746

Terminated Disease control Sponsor: University of Calgary Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether a single high dose (2000 mg) of the heart medication amiodarone, taken by mouth, could safely and quickly restore normal heart rhythm in people with acute atrial fibrillation. The trial planned to include both hospital and outpatient settings, but was terminated early after enrolling only 3 participants. Because it stopped so early, we cannot learn much from it about how well the treatment works.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Amiodarone hydrochloride (a heart rhythm medication)
What this could lead to: If it had succeeded, this could have pointed toward a simple, single-dose pill to quickly restore normal heart rhythm in atrial fibrillation patients.
What could go wrong: The trial was terminated early with only 3 participants, so no reliable conclusions can be drawn. High-dose amiodarone also carries risks like lung or thyroid problems.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

atrial fibrillation atrial flutter

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Contacts and locations

Locations

University of Calgary

Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4Z6, Canada

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