Acute hemodynamic effects of intravenous amiodarone in patients with coronary artery disease.

The acute hemodynamic effects of intravenous amiodarone (Cordarone injectable; Labaz) were studied during cardiac catheterization in 16 male patients with coronary artery disease (age range, 38-64 years; mean, 53 years). Amiodarone was administered as a bolus at a dosage of 5 mg/kg bodyweight over a 1-min period. Measurements were made 5, 10, and 15 min thereafter. The drug had little effect on heart rate, aortic pressure, cardiac index, and vascular resistances. There were small and nonsignificant increases in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and end-diastolic volume. The ejection fraction decreased slightly and not significantly. In addition to some increases in pulmonary wedge, pulmonary artery, and right atrial pressures, the significant findings were a 15% decrease in maximal dP/dt and a 12% decrease in left ventricular work. These changes point to a slight negative inotropic effect of amiodarone.