Amiodarone-an "old" drug with new recommendations.
Amiodarone has gained recognition as an antiarrhythmic medication after recent publication of the newly revised American Heart Association guidelines for pediatric resuscitation. Although support for the widespread use of amiodarone in adults has been supported by research, the few pediatric studies demonstrate limited efficacy and highlight the need for additional data. Because of the nature of the need for this type of resuscitation medication, controlled prospective studies will be difficult to obtain if not morally contraindicated. This article reviews the properties of amiodarone and the pertinent pediatric studies to provide healthcare providers supplemental information regarding amiodarone when choosing antiarrhythmics for acute resuscitation. Individual providers need to discern whether the pediatric data available supports widespread acceptance into current treatment regimens.
McKee
Michele R
MR
Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Children's National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20010, USA. mmckee@cnmc.org
D000200:Action Potentials; D000638:Amiodarone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000145:classification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D013613:Tachycardia, Ectopic Junctional / Q000188:drug therapy; D013617:Tachycardia, Supraventricular / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000638:Amiodarone