The Valley Hospital in Paramus has officially become the first medical institution in the United States to administer Rapiblyk® (landiolol), a breakthrough treatment for critically ill patients suffering from cardiac arrhythmias.
The hospital’s cardiac critical care team utilized the medication to treat a patient experiencing atrial fibrillation (AFib) with a rapid heart rate, marking a significant milestone in American cardiovascular medicine.
Landiolol is an ultra-short-acting, intravenous beta-blocker specifically designed for the short-term reduction of ventricular rate. It is used in adult and pediatric patients with supraventricular tachycardia, including AFib and atrial flutter.
While the drug has long been a staple in European, Japanese, and Canadian hospitals, it only received FDA approval for use in the United States in late 2024. Its arrival provides U.S. physicians with a fast-acting tool to stabilize heart rates in high-stakes inpatient settings.
“We are excited to be at the forefront of caring for critically ill patients with cardiac arrhythmia by making new treatment options available,” Dr. Yonathan Litwok,director of cardiac critical care at The Valley Hospital said. “Valley’s cardiac critical care team stays up to date with the latest innovations to provide our patients with high-quality care.”
The administration of landiolol requires the highly coordinated environment of a Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU). These units are designed for patients with life-threatening conditions that demand:
- Intensive Monitoring: Real-time tracking of heart rhythm and hemodynamics.
- Rapid Intervention: The ability to pivot treatments within seconds as a patient’s condition evolves.
- Advanced Therapies: Utilizing newly approved pharmacological tools like landiolol that may not be available in standard wards.
The use of landiolol is the latest in a series of “firsts” for the Paramus-based health system. By moving quickly to implement FDA-approved therapies, The Valley Hospital is positioning itself as a national leader in specialized cardiovascular intervention.
“I am proud of the continued innovation displayed by our team,” Dr. Suneet Mittal, chair of the Cardiovascular Service Line for Valley Health System said. “We will continue to seek new treatments and therapies to advance the high-quality care we are able to offer our patients.”
For families and patients seeking more information about the specialized services at the hospital’s cardiac intensive care unit, details are available at ValleyHealth.com/CICU.
