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Amiodarone is safe and highly effective therapy for supraventricular tachycardia in infants
S P Etheridge1, J E Craig, S J Compton
1Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah Health Sciences Center and Primary Children's Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84113, USA. pcsether@ihc.com
Insights
Amiodarone effectively controlled supraventricular tachycardia in infants, with most remaining arrhythmia-free after treatment. This study confirms its safety and efficacy in neonates and infants, showing normal growth and development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Amiodarone's efficacy must be balanced with potential adverse effects.
- Limited data exists on amiodarone's use in infants under 9 months.
- This study addresses the safety and efficacy of amiodarone for infant supraventricular tachycardia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess amiodarone's safety and efficacy as primary therapy for supraventricular tachycardia in infants.
- To evaluate long-term outcomes, including arrhythmia recurrence and physical development.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective evaluation of 50 infants and neonates treated with amiodarone.
- Dosage regimens included a 7-10 day loading dose (10 or 20 mg/kg/d) with optional propranolol.
- Follow-up averaged 16 months to assess arrhythmia control and drug discontinuation.
Main Results:
- All patients achieved rhythm control with amiodarone.
- 68% of patients remained arrhythmia-free at 1 year, even after drug discontinuation.
- Normal growth and development were observed; higher doses slightly increased QT interval without proarrhythmia.
Conclusions:
- Amiodarone is a safe and effective treatment for controlling tachycardia in infants.
- The drug demonstrates favorable long-term outcomes and tolerability in this pediatric population.
Background:
The clinical effectiveness of amiodarone must be weighed against the likelihood of adverse effects. Adverse effects are less common in children than in adults, yet there have been no large studies assessing the efficacy and safety of amiodarone in the first 9 months of life. We sought to assess the safety and efficacy of amiodarone as primary therapy for supraventricular tachycardia in infancy.
Methods:
We evaluated the clinical course of 50 consecutive infants and neonates (1.0+/-1.5 months, 35 male) treated with amiodarone for supraventricular tachyarrhythmias between July 1994 and July 1999. At presentation, congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure, or ventricular dysfunction were present in 24%, 36%, and 44% of the infants, respectively. Infants received a 7- to 10-day load of amiodarone at either 10 or 20 mg/kg/d. If this failed to control the arrhythmia, oral propranolol (2 mg/kg/d) was added. Patients were followed up for 16.0+/-13.0 months, and antiarrhythmic drugs were discontinued as tolerated.
Results:
Rhythm control was achieved in all patients. Of the 34 patients who have reached 1 year of age, 23 (68%) have remained free of arrhythmia, despite discontinuation of propranolol and amiodarone. Growth and development remained normal for age. Higher loading doses of amiodarone were associated with an increase in the corrected QT interval, but no proarrhythmia was seen. There were no side effects necessitating drug withdrawal.
Conclusions:
Amiodarone is an effective and safe therapy for tachycardia control in infancy.