title: Use of amiodarone for atrial fibrillation in patients with preexisting pulmonary disease in the AFFIRM study.
abstract: In the Atrial Fibrillation Follow-up Investigation of Rhythm Management study, preexisting pulmonary disease did not preclude the use of amiodarone. Preexisting pulmonary disease was associated with a higher risk of pulmonary death and had a higher risk of diagnosed amiodarone pulmonary toxicity. However, use of amiodarone in the presence of preexisting pulmonary disease did not increase pulmonary death and all-cause mortality rates. Cautious use of amiodarone to treat atrial fibrillation appears acceptable in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation, even if preexisting pulmonary disease is present.
authors.affiliation: University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA. brian-olshansky@uiowa.edu
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Olshansky
authors.forename: Magdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sami
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rubin
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kostis
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shorofsky
authors.forename: April
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Slee
authors.forename: H Leon
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Greene
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000638:Amiodarone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000638:Amiodarone