Arrhythmias & electrophysiology
Essential antiarrhythmic drug accessibility worldwide: a multi-survey study and comprehensive evaluation of access and supply challenges
Authors' conclusion
Physicians worldwide frequently encounter problems accessing guideline-recommended antiarrhythmic drugs for their patients, which putatively impacts their patients' quality of life and life expectancy.
Study context
- Population
- Members of EHRA, AEPC, ERN GUARD-Heart and national heart rhythm societies
- Participants
- 558 members · 80 countries
- Outcome
- Current access to AADs (proportion of surveyed AADs considered readily accessible)
Methodological detailsmulti-survey, online surveys, international
- Multi-survey
- Online surveys
- International
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Readily accessible AADs (main analysis: ≥5 respondents; 16 EU, 7 non-EU countries)
Surveyed AADs considered readily accessible
16-59%
Oral flecainide and propranolol available in countries
88%
Mexiletine solution available in countries
10%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
National societies' perception of impact
- Limited access negatively affected patients' quality of life
- 72%
- Limited access negatively affected life expectancy
- 35%
- Expected challenges to persist or worsen
- 73%
Original publication
Essential antiarrhythmic drug accessibility worldwide: a multi-survey study and comprehensive evaluation of access and supply challenges. Europace. Published 2 September 2026. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it