September 22, 1994New England Journal of Medicine
Risks and Benefits of Antiarrhythmic Therapy
Key result
Antiarrhythmic-drug therapy for cardiac arrhythmias presents potential benefits, such as reductions in mortality or symptoms, alongside delineated risks, though establishing benefit has proved difficult.
Why the study?
Does antiarrhythmic-drug therapy reduce mortality or symptoms in patients with cardiac arrhythmias?
Population
Patients with cardiac arrhythmias
Design
Review
Authors
Discussion
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Member takes
Implication
Supports individualized risk-benefit assessment of antiarrhythmic therapy given uncertain net benefit; leaves open the need for targeted trials in defined populations.
Structured PICO
Does antiarrhythmic-drug therapy reduce mortality or symptoms in patients with cardiac arrhythmias?
P
Population
Patients with cardiac arrhythmias
I
Intervention
Antiarrhythmic-drug therapy
O
Outcome
Reductions in mortality or in symptoms related to arrhythmias, and side effects
This review highlights the complex risk-benefit profile of antiarrhythmic drug therapy, noting frequent side effects and difficulty in establishing clear benefits.
Cite This Study
Wood et al. (1994) conducted a review in Cardiac arrhythmias. Antiarrhythmic-drug therapy was evaluated. Antiarrhythmic-drug therapy for cardiac arrhythmias presents potential benefits, such as reductions in mortality or symptoms, alongside delineated risks, though establishing benefit has proved difficult.