Large-dosage amiodarone therapy in six patients with sustained ventricular tachycardia

Objective: The clinical effectiveness and side effect of large dosage amiodarone therapy on sustained ventricular tachycardia (SVT) were observed.Method: First dosage of 150 mg of amiodarone was given via intravenous injection within 0.5 ～10 min, if necessary, the same dose was given one or two times again. Then amiodarone was given via intravenous drip with 1～5 mg/min for 3～8 days.Result: SVT of six patients was converted to sinus rhythm within 2 hours after amiodarone intravenously given and the effective rate was 100%. The mean dose of amiodarone intravenously given within 2 hours was 390～540 ( 468.4 ± 54.7 )mg and the mean dose within 24 hours was 1 000～1 800( 1 410.3 ± 356.5 )mg. There was no hypotension, deterioration of cardiac function and proarrhythmic effect except local phlebitis.Conclusion: For treating SVT, using large dosage of amiodarone via intravenous route within short period is safe and effective.