What does this research mean for the field?

Amiodarone is effective in preventing the recurrence of symptomatic ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation in high-risk, refractory patients, and a favorable clinical response can occur even if ventricular tachycardia remains inducible during electropharmacologic testing. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the clinical efficacy, electrophysiologic response, and safety profile of amiodarone in patients with refractory ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation.

May 1, 1983Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology

Amiodarone in the Management of Patients with Ventricular Tachycardia and Ventricular Fibrillation

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Why the study?

Does amiodarone prevent recurrence of symptomatic VT or VF in patients with refractory VT/VF?

Population

58 patients with symptomatic ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation refractory to…

Design

Cohort

Follow-up

mean 17.1 +/- 12.4 months

Authors

FMFred MoradyElectrophysiology MSMelvin M. ScheinmanElectrophysiology DHDavid HessDeborah Heart and Lung Center

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Supports amiodarone consideration in refractory VT/VF; leaves open confirmation by randomized trials.

Key Points

To evaluate the clinical efficacy, electrophysiologic response, and safety profile of amiodarone in patients with refractory ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation.
Treated N=58 patients with symptomatic VT or VF refractory to maximally tolerated conventional antiarrhythmics with amiodarone (initial dose 800–1000 mg/day, combined with a previously ineffective agent in 32 patients).
Conducted programmed ventricular stimulation in 30 patients after 2.6 ± 1.7 months of amiodarone therapy (mean dose 588 ± 155 mg/day) and monitored clinical recurrence over a mean follow-up of 17.1 ± 12.4 months.
Arrhythmia recurrence was prevented in 41 of 58 patients (71%) during a mean follow-up of 17.1 ± 12.4 months, whereas 17 patients experienced recurrences (7 fatal, 10 non-fatal).
Among 25 patients with persistent VT inducibility on programmed ventricular stimulation, 19 (76%) achieved long-term freedom from symptomatic VT/VF over 21.5 ± 7.3 months of follow-up.
Neurological adverse effects occurred in 22 patients (38%), manifesting as ataxia or intention tremor that resolved with dose reduction.

Structured PICO

Does amiodarone prevent recurrence of symptomatic VT or VF in patients with refractory VT/VF?

Population

58 patients with symptomatic ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF) refractory to maximum-tolerated doses of conventional antiarrhythmic agents.

Intervention

Amiodarone (initial dose 800-1000 mg/day, maintenance mean 588 +/- 155 mg/day), alone or in combination with previously ineffective conventional antiarrhythmic agents.

Outcome

Recurrence of symptomatic VT or VFhard clinical

Amiodarone is effective in preventing recurrence of symptomatic VT or VF in high-risk patients refractory to conventional antiarrhythmic drugs, though neurologic toxicity is common at higher doses.

Cite This Study

Morady et al. (1983) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a1bf92cc97d63156a5f2a84 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-8159.1983.tb05302.x

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Amiodarone in the Management of Patients with Ventricular Tachycardia and Ventricular Fibrillation

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Structured PICO

Cite This Study

Amiodarone in the Management of Patients with Ventricular Tachycardia and Ventricular Fibrillation

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Structured PICO

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider