Effect of amiodarone on sinus node function in patients with sick sinus syndrome.
The effect of amiodarone on sinus node function has been studied in 9 patients with symptomatic sick sinus node as documented by Holter-ECG. All patients had programmable dual-chamber pacemakers. Sinus node activity was assessed by intermittently inhibiting the pacemakers before and after four weeks of oral amiodarone treatment. Sinus node function was not altered by amiodarone in 5 patients but was severely depressed in 4 patients. Thus, it is concluded that amiodarone cannot be used safely in all patients with the tachybrady syndrome for the treatment of symptomatic tachyarrhythmias without concomitant pacing.
D000368:Aged; D000638:Amiodarone / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D012804:Sick Sinus Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D012849:Sinoatrial Node / Q000187:drug effects*
D000638:Amiodarone