Why is amiodarone used for ventricular tachycardia?

Amiodarone is a potent antiarrhythmic agent that is used to treat ventricular arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation. The drug prevents the recurrence of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias and produces a modest reduction of sudden deaths in high-risk patients.

How do you give amiodarone to ventricular tachycardia?

First dose: Give 300 mg (6 mL) IV direct UNDILUTED. A filter is not required for IV direct administration. Second dose: If patient remains in pulseless ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation 5 minutes after the first dose, give a second dose of amiodarone 150 mg (3 mL).

What is the drug of choice for ventricular tachycardia?

For the emergency treatment of sustained, hemodynamically stable ventricular tachycardia, antiarrhythmic drugs are the therapy of choice. Mostly class I antiarrhythmic drugs, such as lidocaine or ajmaline, are preferred.

Does amiodarone drip lower heart rate?

The infusion of amiodarone (242 +/- 137 mg over 1 hour) was associated with a decrease in heart rate by 37 +/- 8 beats/min and an increase in systolic blood pressure of 24 +/- 6 mm Hg. Both of these changes were significantly improved (p <0.05) from onset of rapid heart rate or during conventional therapy.

How much amiodarone should I take for ventricular tachycardia?

Usual Adult Dose for Arrhythmias. -Supplemental infusions: 150 mg over 10 minutes (15 mg/min) for breakthrough episodes of ventricular fibrillation (VF) or hemodynamically unstable ventricular tachycardia (VT) Maximum dose: Initial infusion rate: 30 mg/min Duration of therapy: Until ventricular arrhythmias stabilize…

When to increase the infusion rate of amiodarone?

Maintenance dose: After the first 24 hours, continue the maintenance infusion rate of 0.5 mg/min; may increase infusion rate to achieve effective arrhythmia suppression. -Supplemental infusions: 150 mg over 10 minutes (15 mg/min) for breakthrough episodes of ventricular fibrillation (VF) or hemodynamically unstable ventricular tachycardia (VT)

When to use amiodarone or diltiazem for atrial flutter?

Interventions: Patients with atrial fibrillation (n = 57), atrial flutter (n = 2), or atrial tachycardia (n = 1, and a heart rate consistently >120 beats/min over 30 mins were randomly assigned to one of three intravenous treatment regimens.

How is the sinus rhythm treated with amiodarone?

A few seconds after starting the amiodarone drip the patient reported relief of shortness of breath and the following 12-lead ECG was recorded. Normal sinus rhythm with left anterior fascicular block and right atrial enlargement.