Patent ID: 7507545

Claim:
A method of identifying an ion channel modulating compound useful for the treatment of atrial fibrillation comprising identifying a compound that inhibits Kv potassium channels expressed in HEK cells at IC 50 concentrations greater than about 8 μM, and further exhibits a 4 to 10-fold increase in rate-dependent inhibition of a sodium channel over a physiologically and pathophysiologically significant range of heart rates between about 0.25 to about 20 Hz, and further exhibits a 3x or greater decrease in IC 50 of voltage-dependent inhibition of sodium channel current from about 100 μM to about 30 μM, in the resting potential range between about −120 mV to about −60 mV, and does not inhibit hERG channels, except at IC 50 concentrations greater than 10 μM.