We found that the size of the left atrium , presence of cardiovascular disease , and protocol s of amiodarone administration did not influence the magnitude of effect .
Serious adverse events were infrequent .
Amiodarone is effective for converting AF to sinus rhythm in a wide range of patients .
BACKGROUND Although clinicians sometimes choose amiodarone to convert atrial fibrillation ( AF ) to sinus rhythm , no current and comprehensive systematic review has summarized its effectiveness .
OBJECTIVE To review the effectiveness of amiodarone in converting AF to sinus rhythm over a 4-week period .
Efficacy of Amiodarone for the Termination of Chronic Atrial Fibrillation and Maintenance of Normal Sinus Rhythm: A Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled, Double Blind Trial
Objective : We sought to assess the efficacy and safety of amiodarone for restoration and maintenance of sinus rhythm in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation in a prospect i ve , r and omized , double blind trial . Background : Restoration and preservation of sinus rhythm is difficult in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation . The efficacy of oral amiodarone has not been conclusively established . Methods : Ninety-five patients with chronic atrial fibrillation , lasting an average of 35.6 months , were r and omized to either amiodarone ( 600 mg/d ) ( 47 patients ) or placebo ( 48 patients ) during four weeks . Nonresponders underwent electric cardioversion , and those who reverted continued with amiodarone ( 200 mg/d ) or placebo . End-points were successful cardioversion and sinus rhythm maintenance . Results : Sixteen patients ( 34.04 % ) in the amiodarone group reverted within 27.28 ± 8.85 days in comparison with 0 % in the placebo group ( P < 0.000009 ) . The conversion rate rose to 51.72 % in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation lasting less than 12 months . Twenty-eight patients in the amiodarone group and 39 in the placebo group underwent electric cardioversion , which was successful in 19 patients ( 67.8 % ) of the amiodarone group and in 15 ( 38.46 % ) of the placebo group ( P = 0.017 ) . Altogether , conversion was obtained in 79.54 % of the amiodarone group patients and in 38.46 % of the placebo group patients ( P < 0.0001 ) . During follow-up , atrial fibrillation relapsed in 13 ( 37.14 % ) of 35 patients of the amiodarone group within 8.84 + 8.57 months and in 12 ( 80 % ; P = 0.009 ) of 15 patients of the placebo group within 2.74 ± 3.41 months . Conclusions : Oral amiodarone  restored sinus rhythm in one third of patients with chronic atrial fibrillation , increased the success rate of electric cardioversion , decreased the number of relapses and delayed their occurrence
We found that the size of the left atrium , presence of cardiovascular disease , and protocol s of amiodarone administration did not influence the magnitude of effect .
Serious adverse events were infrequent .
Amiodarone is effective for converting AF to sinus rhythm in a wide range of patients .
BACKGROUND Although clinicians sometimes choose amiodarone to convert atrial fibrillation ( AF ) to sinus rhythm , no current and comprehensive systematic review has summarized its effectiveness .
OBJECTIVE To review the effectiveness of amiodarone in converting AF to sinus rhythm over a 4-week period .