EFFECTS OF AMIODARONE ON CARDIAC AND CORONARY HEMODYNAMICS AND ON MYOCARDIAL-METABOLISM IN PATIENTS WITH CORONARY-ARTERY DISEASE

While the antiarrhythmic effects of amiodarone are well-documented, its hemodynamic effects are not. Authors injected 5 mg/kg amiodarone i.v. in 16 patients undergoing coronary ateriography. Heart rate did not change. Aortic (systolic, diastolic and mean) and left ventricular (systolic and end-diastolic) pressures decreased significantly (P<0.01) at 5 and 15 minutes; systemic vascular resistance also fell significantly (P<0.05), while cardiac index increased slightly but significantly (P<0.05). Coronary vascular resistance decreased significantly (P<0.01) and coronary sinus blood flow rose in most patients, from a mean of 138 ml/min to 1 53 ml/min at 5 minutes (P<0.02); it then returned toward the control value at 15 minutes (mean 145 ml/min). Myocardial metabolism of O2 was normal and unchanged. Metabolism of lactate improved in five patients, remained unchanged in seven and deteriorated transiently in four. No undesirable hemodynamic and clinical side effects occurred when the drug was administered slowly. Authors conclude that amiodarone is a powerful systemic and coronary vasodilator. In addition to its present indications in the treatment of angina pectoris and arrhythmias, the drug might be very useful as an afterload-reducing agent.