| Abstract: | AIM: To assess antiarrhythmic amiodarone efficacy of suppressing atrial extrasystoles resistant to other antiarrhythmic modalities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The antiarrhythmic effect of amiodarone was studied in 70 patients (38 males, 32 females, mean age 49.6 +/- 1.7 years, mean duration of arrhythmia 4.9 +/- 1.5 years). The loading oral dose of amiodarone was 600-1200 mg/day for 10 days, mean maintenance dose--1656.25 mg a week, mean duration of treatment--27.5 +/- 3.2 months. The response to amiodarone was estimated by repeated 24-h Holter monitoring. RESULTS: A complete response was observed in 78.5% patients in loading and in 65.7% patients in maintenance therapy. A partial antiarrhythmic response was seen in 8.57 and 16.41% patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: Amiodarone is a basic drug against ventricular arrhythmia. Its effectiveness in suppression of atrial extrasystole is weaker but also appropriate. |
