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Pharmacokinetics of intravenous amiodarone in children

Sergej Ramusovic1, Stephanie Läer, Bernd Meibohm

  • 1Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacotherapy, Heinrich-Heine-University, , Düsseldorf, Germany.

Archives of Disease in Childhood
|September 21, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Intravenous amiodarone effectively treated arrhythmias in most children, reaching therapeutic adult serum concentrations. However, some experienced hypotension and QTc prolongation, warranting careful monitoring in paediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Clinical Pharmacology

Background:

  • Intravenous amiodarone is used for severe pediatric arrhythmias.
  • Concerns exist regarding adverse effects like hypotension, bradycardia, and drug concentrations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Determine serum concentrations of IV amiodarone in children using a specific dosing regimen.
  • Assess safety parameters including hypotension, bradycardia, and QTc prolongation.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective observational study in a pediatric intensive care unit.
  • Enrolled twenty pediatric patients with arrhythmias.
  • Monitored amiodarone serum concentrations, blood pressure, heart rate, and QTc intervals.

Main Results:

  • Serum amiodarone concentrations reached effective adult levels during maintenance infusion.
  • Arrhythmias were suppressed in 90% of patients.
  • Mean QTc intervals increased post-therapy; 8 patients experienced hypotension.

Conclusions:

  • IV amiodarone demonstrated efficacy in the majority of pediatric patients in this study.
  • The findings highlight the need for careful safety monitoring during amiodarone treatment in children.
Abstract

Keywords:
AmiodaronePediatricsPharmacokineticsPharmacologyTherapeutics

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