CLINICAL OBSERVATION ON INTRAVENOUS HIGH-DOSE AMIODARONE IN THE TREATMENT OF REFRACTORY VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA

Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of intravenous injection of high-dose amiodarone for refractory ventricular tachycardia(RVT). Methods Fifty-eight RVT patients who had failed to response routine antiarrhythmic treatment were given intravenously 3-5 mg/kg of amiodarone for the initial dose, and maintained with 1.0-1.5 mg/min. Meanwhile amiodarone was given orally, starting from 600-1 200 mg/d, and gradually reduced to 200 mg/d on the basis of patient's status. In patients who failed the initial dose, another 150 mg was added every 30 min. Results The dose of IV, oral and total amiodarone was (1 583.4±216.4)mg, (803±175)mg, and (2 505.0±304.2)mg , respectively, and the effective rate was 86.21%. The adverse effects included decreased blood pressure(4 cases), bradycardia(2), and phlebitis(2).All these patients were managed with symptomatic therapy and improved without the drug withdrawal. Conclusion High dose of intravenous amiodarone is effective and safe for refractory ventricular tachycardia.