| dc.description |
Forty-five patients with recent-onset sustained atrial tachyarrhythmia (mean heart rate at entry; 140.0± 3.5 beats. min<sup>−1</sup>) associated with various cardiovascular diseases were treated by oral amiodarone, given as a single loading dose of 25.7± 0.9 mg. kg−1 body weight. Conversion to sinus rhythm was observed in 29 patients during the first 24 h of treatment, leading to a success rate of 64.4%. Five additional patients converted to sinus rhythm with continuation of oral amiodarone, (10–15 mg. kg<sup>−1</sup> by day) with a mean delay of 4.2 days. A similar population of 27 patients (mean heart rate at entry; 140 ± 3 beats. min<sup>−1</sup>) was treated by intravenous amiodarone, given as a bolus infusion of 3–5mg. kg<sup>−1</sup> over 30min (mean; 41±02 mg. kg<sup>−1</sup>), followed by a continuous infusion of 10–15mg. kg<sup>−1</sup> for 24 h (mean; 11.1±0.7 mg. kg<sup>−1</sup>). Eighteen patients converted to sinus rhythm during the first 24 h of therapy, leading to a success rate of 66.7%. Minor adverse effects of therapy were observed in two patients given oral amiodarone, and in seven given intravenous amiodarone. No major effect was observed. We suggest that amiodarone given as a single oral loading dose of 25–30mg. kg<sup>−1</sup> body weight is an effective, simple and well-tolerated therapy, suitable for most patients with recent-onset ATA. |
