Oral and Intravenous Amiodarone for Atrial Fibrillation-Flutter

Amiodrone is a benytfuran derivative with class III anti arrhythmic effects. It has also been reported to convert atrial fibrillation and flutter to sinus rhythm and is highly effective for the prevention of atrial fibrillation (especially of the paroxysmal form) with an overall efficacy in the range of 70–50%. This high degree of efficacy was obtained in a majority of patients who had already failed various conventional anti arrhythmic agents. The mechanism of arrhythmia termination by intravenous amiodarone is not clear. The slowing in ventricular response, which most probably improves cardiac hemodynamics, has an indirect salutary effect. Despite the fact that none of the published reports on intravenous amiodarone used a placebo control group, these studies suggest that intravenous amiodarone has an important role in the acute treatment of atrial fibrilation with fast ventricular response.