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 .
A Comparison of Amiodarone and Digoxin in the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation Complicating Suspected Acute Myocardial Infarction
Summary : Thirty-four patients with atrial fibrillation complicating suspected acute myocardial infa rct ion were r and omised to treatment with intravenous amiodarone ( n = 18 ) or intravenous digoxin ( n = 16 ) . After 24 h , similar proportions of patients in each group had reverted to sinus rhythm . However , there was a tendency towards earlier reversion with amiodarone . At 4 h , 72 % of the amiodarone group had reverted to sinus rhythm , compared with 31 % of the digoxin group ( p < 0.1 ) . This tendency was more marked in patients with definite infa rct ion ( at 4 h , amiodarone 75 % reversion , digoxin 10 % reversion ) . Neither drug had a significant effect on blood pressure . Atrial fibrillation may cause serious haemodynamic deterioration in acute myocardial infa rct ion . In comparison with digoxin , amiodarone offers more rapid control of the ventricular response rate and may , in addition , restore sinus rhythm more rapidly
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 .