Premium
Amiodarone Therapy for Atrial Rhythm Control: Insights Gained From a Single Center Experience
Author(s) -
CHANDHOK SHEETAL,
SCHWARTZMAN DAVID
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of cardiovascular electrophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.193
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1540-8167
pISSN - 1045-3873
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-8167.2007.00847.x
Subject(s) - medicine , amiodarone , rhythm , single center , heart rhythm , cardiology , atrial fibrillation , center (category theory) , chemistry , crystallography
Amiodarone has been advocated as an effective “long‐term” therapy for atrial rhythm control in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We sought to assess the sustainability of this therapeutic strategy. Methods and Results: Retrospective analysis of a consecutive, single‐center cohort (n = 168) with symptomatic AF who were treated with amiodarone and followed for 3 years. The incidence of amiodarone cessation was evaluated at 1, 2, and 3 years and attributed principally to drug inefficacy, intolerance, or toxicity. A gradual diminution in the number of patients on therapy was observed, such that by 3 years, only 45% remained. This was attributable to inefficacy (25%), intolerance (12%), or toxicity (18%). Pulmonary toxicity was surprisingly common, occurring in at least 7% of patients. Conclusions: These data challenge the notion of amiodarone as a reasonable “destination” therapy for AF.