benzofurans and Coronary-Vasospasm

Amiodarone was used in the treatment of 21 patients with supraventricular or ventricular arrhythmias which were refractory to conventional antiarrhythmic drugs, individually or in combination. Six of seven patients with supraventricular arrhythmias and 12 of 14 with ventricular tachycardia were controlled with amiodarone. Although side effects were common, only one patient was removed from treatment due to pulmonary fibrosis. We conclude that amiodarone is an effective antiarrhythmic drug for refractory ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias.

Topics: Amiodarone; Atrial Fibrillation; Benzofurans; Cardiac Complexes, Premature; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated; Coronary Disease; Coronary Vasospasm; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Heart Aneurysm; Heart Atria; Heart Ventricles; Humans; Recurrence; Tachycardia

In three patients with vasospastic angina pectoris, chronic amiodarone administered orally at doses of 800 and 1,000 mg/day totally suppressed spontaneous episodes of ischemic chest pain for 8 to 14 months. Before treatment, ergonovine maleate 0.2 to 0.4 mg intravenously provoked chest pain and similar ischemic ECG changes as those occurring spontaneously. During amiodarone treatment ergonovine vasoconstriction was totally or partially inhibited. In addition to calcium-blocking agents, amiodarone is another spasmolytic drug which effects smooth muscle relaxation by different mechanisms and appears to be useful for the chronic treatment and prevention of variant angina. The vasodilator property of amiodarone is achieved by both direct action and noncompetitive alpha receptor antagonism of coronary vasculature.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adult; Amiodarone; Angina Pectoris, Variant; Benzofurans; Bundle-Branch Block; Cardiomegaly; Coronary Vasospasm; Electrocardiography; Ergonovine; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged