Relationship between preoperative amiodarone treatment and complications observed during anaesthesia for valvular cardiac surgery.

Two groups of ASA physical status class III and IV patients undergoing cardiac surgery were reviewed in an attempt to obtain more conclusive data concerning dangerous interactions between amiodarone and anaesthesia. The amiodarone group (Group 1, ten patients, cumulative dose 10 g) was compared with a control group (nine patients, Group 2). Amiodarone (A) and desethylamiodarone (NA) concentrations in plasma and myocardium were measured and haemodynamic and antiarrhythmic effects were analysed. Throughout anaesthesia haemodynamic status was similar in both groups. No correlation was found between A/NA and cardiac index changes. No patients needed intraaortic blood pressure augmentation or developed low systemic vascular resistances. Pacemaker dependency was similar in both groups and there was no evidence of increased anaesthetic risk. An excellent antiarrhythmic effect was obtained during the postoperative period. We conclude that preoperative treatment with amiodarone is effective against postoperative arrhythmias.