[Long-term therapy with amiodarone in tachyarrhythmias--report on various experiences with special reference to its...

In 23 patients with symptomatic severe supraventricular and ventricular tachyarrhythmias the effectiveness and the side effects of a long-term therapy with the class III antiarrhythmic drug Amiodarone (Cordarone) in a dosage of 100-800 mg/die in monotherapy and combination therapy were investigated. In these cases it proved to be an excellently effecting antiarrhythmic drug in tachycardiac dysrhythmias at atrial and ventricular level with an altogether good tolerance. In 16 patients side effects appeared and above all concerned corneal micro-deposition without any clinical symptoms (10 patients). In 3 patients nuclear-medically insignificant changes of the function of the thyroid gland were found--also without clinical relevance. Three times a photosensitisation was conspicuous, only in one patient the therapy was finished on account of epigastric trouble after three months. Av-blockings of higher degree, particularly with bundle-branch block and severe sinus bradycardias as well as disturbances of the thyroid function are regarded as contraindications without preceding pacemaker implantation.