St. Jude Medical for Medical Professionals

The effect of oral amiodarone therapy on defibrillation energy requirements in patients with an implantable defibrillator has not been established.

Amiodarone is commonly prescribed for patients with an implantable defibrillator who receive frequent shocks for atrial or ventricular arrhythmias. The effect of oral amiodarone therapy on defibrillation energy requirements in patients with an implantable defibrillator has not been established.  The purpose of this study was to determine prospectively the effect of chronic amiodarone therapy on the defibrillation energy requirement in patients with an implantable defibrillator.

Frank Pelosi, Jr., MD, Hakan Oral, MD, Michael H. Kim, MD, Christian Sticherling, MD, Laura Horwood, RN, Bradley P. Knight, MD, Gregory F. Michaud, MD, Fred Morady, MD and S. Adam Strickberger, MD.

Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 11: 736-74, July 2000.