[Efficacy and side effects of long-term treatment with amiodarone. Retrospective study. Apropos of 460 cases]

A retrospective study was conducted in a group of 460 patients in order to evaluate the effectiveness and frequency of side effects of amiodarone over a mean observation period of 2 years. The effectiveness was considered to be excellent or good in 71.5 p. cent of cases of ischaemic heart disease, in 84.8 p. cent of cases of supraventricular arrhythmia and in 92.3 p. cent of cases of ventricular arrhythmia. Side effects were observed in 32.8 p. cent of patients and treatment had to be suspended in 19.8 p. cent of cases. The most frequent side effects were photosensitisation (11.9%), thyroid disorders (5.6%) and bradycardia or sinus dysfunction (11.9%). Some of these side effects appear to be related to the cumulative dose received.