INVESTIGATIVE THERAPIES (J.-L. BALLIGAND, SECTION EDITOR) New Treatment Options for Late Na Current, Arrhythmias,

# The Author(s) 2012. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com Abstract The late Na current is of pathophysiological im-portance for the heart. Ranolazine is an innovative anti-ischemic and antianginal agent that inhibits the late Na current, thereby reducing the Na-dependent Ca-overload, which improves diastolic tone and oxygen handling during myocardial ischemia. In addition, ranolazine seems to exert beneficial effects on diastolic cardiac function. Moreover, there are experimental and clinical data about its antiarrhyth-mic properties. A beneficial atrial selectivity of ranolazine has been suggested that may be helpful for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. The purpose of this review article is to discuss possible future clinical indications based on novel experimental and preclinical results and the significance of the available data