Amiodarone for pharmacological cardioversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation
Abstract
The efficacy and safety of amiodarone for pharmacological cardioversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation was examined by reviewing the trials on the subject identified through a comprehensive literature search. Amiodarone has been used both intravenously (i.v.) and orally for the pharmacological cardioversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation. Intravenous amiodarone has been used as a bolus only or as a bolus followed by a continuous i.v. infusion until conversion or up to 24 h. The dose of i.v. bolus given ranged from 3 to 7 mg/kg body weight and that of infusion from 900 to 3000 mg/day. The efficacy reported is 34-69% with the bolus only regimens, and 55-95% with the bolus followed by infusion regimens. Only the higher dose (>1500 mg/day) amiodarone is superior to placebo in converting recent-onset atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm. The highest 24-h conversion rates have been reported with the i.v. regimen of 125 mg/h until conversion or a maximum of 3 g and the oral regimen of 25-30 mg/kg body weight administered as a single loading-dose (>90% and >85%, respectively). Most of the conversions occur after 6-8 h of the initiation of therapy. Predictors of successful conversion are shorter duration of atrial fibrillation,...Continue Reading
Associated Clinical Trials
References
Citations
2016 ESC Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation developed in collaboration with EACTS.
2016 ESC Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation developed in collaboration with EACTS.
2016 ESC Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation developed in collaboration with EACTS.
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