Intravenous amiodarone in intensive care. Time for a reappraisal?
Amiodarone is widely used in intensive care units for the treatment of a variety of arrhythmias. It is currently the drug of choice for supraventricular tachyarrhythmias in many units because of its combination of efficacy and safety. This review summarises the current state of knowledge regarding the short-term administration of intravenous amiodarone to control arrhythmias in perioperative, coronary care and intensive care patients. It outlines the electrophysiology, haemodynamics, pharmacokinetics and toxicity of the drug. In particular, it examines the recent concerns regarding acute pulmonary toxicity.
Department of Anaesthetics, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland. mh4493@compuserve.com
M
M
Hughes
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A
Binning
D000638:Amiodarone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000628:therapy; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004363:Drug Utilization; D004594:Electrophysiology; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000401:mortality; D018579:Patient Selection; D013617:Tachycardia, Supraventricular / Q000188:drug therapy; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000638:Amiodarone