Patent ID: 8410167

Claim:
A method of decreasing a risk of cardiovascular hospitalization in a patient, said method comprising administering to said patient an effective amount of dronedarone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, twice a day with a morning and an evening meal, wherein said patient does not have severe heart failure, (i) wherein severe heart failure is indicated by: a) NYHA Class IV heart failure or b) hospitalization for heart failure within the last month; and (ii) wherein said patient has a history of, or current, paroxysmal or persistent non-permanent atrial fibrillation or flutter; and (iii) wherein the patient has at least one cardiovascular risk factor selected from the group consisting of: i. an age greater than or equal to 75; ii. hypertension; iii. diabetes; iv. a history of cerebral stroke or of systemic embolism; v. a left atrial diameter greater than or equal to 50 mm; and vi. a left ventricular ejection fraction less than 40%.