[Use of injectable amiodarone in patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency]

Intravenous amiodarone (5 mg/kg) was administered to 10 patients with chronic obstructive airways disease, hypercapnia and hypoxia, and pulmonary hypertension. Respiratory function tests, arterial blood gases, ECG, blood pressure and subjective tolerance were monitored. Subjective tolerance was excellent. The parameters investigated showed no significant changes either biologically or statistically, excepting a slowing of the cardiac rhythm. The authors conclude that amiodarone has no undesirable cardiopulmonary side effects.