The current role of amiodarone in patients with congestive heart failure.
Amiodarone in low to moderate doses is generally safe in controlling arrhythmias in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). However, its role is uncertain, because it did not affect the overall mortality rate in three out of four large-scale studies. Whether some subgroups might benefit is a matter of speculation. In patients with sustained ventricular tachycardia, or in those who have survived an episode of sudden death, implantation of a cardioverter-defibrillator may be a better strategy.
Bello
D
D
Cardiology Section, San Francisco Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, USA.
Massie
B M
BM
D000638:Amiodarone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D016019:Survival Analysis
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000638:Amiodarone