INTRAVENOUS SOTALOL HYDROCHLORIDE LOADING AND MAINTENANCE FOR CARDIAC SURGERY PATIENTS

1 . An intravenous, prophylactic, antiarrhythmic method for reducing the risk of an atrial fibrillation (AF), atrial flutter (AFL) or both in a cardiothoracic surgery patient, comprising:

intravenously administering sotalol hydrochloride in a cardiothoracic surgery patient for maintenance of normal sinus rhythm;

wherein one of three dosing regimens (a)-(c) is followed for the patient:

a. an IV loading dose based on an oral target of 80 mg and selected from 55-85 mg and one or more subsequent IV doses selected from 60-90 mg;

b. an IV loading dose based on an oral target of 120 mg and selected from 75-115 mg and one or more subsequent IV doses selected from 100-120 mg; or

c. an IV loading dose based on an oral target of 160 mg and selected from 100-150 mg and one or more subsequent IV doses selected from 135-165 mg;

wherein the IV loading dose is a 1 hour infusion;

wherein one or more of the subsequent IV doses is administered by way of an infusion of up to 5 hours; and

wherein an interval between two of the one or more subsequent IV doses is an interval of 12-48 hours.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein one of three dosing regimens (a)-(c) is followed for the patient:

a. the IV loading dose is based on an oral target of 80 mg and is 65 mg and one or more of the subsequent IV doses is selected from 60-90 mg;

b. the IV loading dose is based on an oral target of 120 mg and is 95 mg and one or more of the subsequent IV doses is selected from 100-120 mg; or

c. the IV loading dose is based on an oral target of 160 mg and is 125 mg and one or more of the subsequent IV doses is selected from 135-165 mg.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein one of three dosing regimens (a)-(c) is followed for the patient:

a. the IV loading dose is based on an oral target of 80 mg and is 65 mg and one or more of the subsequent IV doses is 75 mg;

b. the IV loading dose is based on an oral target of 120 mg and is 95 mg and one or more of the subsequent IV doses is 112.5 mg; or

c. the IV loading dose is based on an oral target of 160 mg and is 125 mg and one or more of the subsequent IV doses is selected from 150 mg.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein one of three dosing regimens (a)-(c) is followed for the patient:

a. the IV loading dose is based on an oral target of 80 mg and is selected from 55-85 mg and one or more of the subsequent IV doses is 75 mg;

b. the IV loading dose is based on an oral target of 120 mg and is selected from 75-115 mg and one or more of the subsequent IV doses is 112.5 mg; or

c. the IV loading dose is based on an oral target of 160 mg and is selected from 100-150 mg and one or more of the subsequent IV doses is 150 mg.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein dosing regimen (a) is followed.

6 . The method of claim 2 , wherein dosing regimen (a) is followed.

7 . The method of claim 3 , wherein dosing regimen (a) is followed.

8 . The method of claim 4 , wherein dosing regimen (a) is followed.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein dosing regimen (b) is followed.

10 . The method of claim 2 , wherein dosing regimen (b) is followed.

11 . The method of claim 3 , wherein dosing regimen (b) is followed.

12 . The method of claim 4 , wherein dosing regimen (b) is followed.

13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein dosing regimen (c) is followed.

14 . The method of claim 2 , wherein dosing regimen (c) is followed.

15 . The method of claim 3 , wherein dosing regimen (c) is followed.

16 . The method of claim 4 , wherein dosing regimen (c) is followed.

17 . The method of claim 1 , wherein a minimum delay to a first of the one or more subsequent IV doses is 0.5-5 hours.

18 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:

a. the interval is 12-24 hours; and

b. a minimum delay to a first of the one or more subsequent IV doses is 1-6 hours.

19 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:

a. the interval is 12 hours; and

b. a minimum delay to a first of the subsequent IV doses is 1-4 hours.

20 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:

a. the interval is 24-48 hours; and

b. a minimum delay to a first of the subsequent IV doses is 6-12 hours.