title: The effective treatment of multifocal atrial tachycardia with amiodarone.
abstract: Multifocal atrial tachycardia (MAT) was observed in 9 patients aged 60-85 (mean 72.1 +/- 8.6) years during exacerbation of their chronic lung and/or cardiac disease. Four, in whom the rapid heart rate caused symptoms of pulmonary congestion, were treated with intravenous amiodarone (450-900 mg over 2 hours) with restoration of sinus rhythm soon after the termination of the drug infusion. In 1, with recurrence of MAT, the same intravenous dosage was repeated for 2 consecutive days, with final achievement of stable sinus rhythm. Five patients, apart from the conventional management of their underlying disease (digitalis, diuretics, aminophylline) were treated with oral amiodarone (600 mg/day). Sinus rhythm was restored in all and remained stable during their hospitalization, under alpha maintenance dosage of 200-400 mg daily. Amiodarone may be the drug of choice for the treatment of MAT, for which up to now no effective therapy has been established.
authors: Department of Cardiology, Tzanio State Hospital, Piraeus, Greece.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Kouvaras
authors: D V
authors: DV
authors: Cokkinos
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Halal
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Chronopoulos
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Ioannou
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000638:Amiodarone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000638:Amiodarone