Amiodarone in pregnancy. Case report and review of the literature.

A case of the use of amiodarone in pregnancy is reported and the literature on this subject reviewed. The data available to date show: there is no risk of teratogenic effects, the QT interval is prolonged during infancy (no associated arrhythmias noted), infant bradycardia occurs and should be monitored and thyroid function can be affected and should be monitored at birth. If fetal electrocardiographic monitoring is performed before and during labour and after birth, and thyroid function is assessed, then, to date, there does not appear to be any significant contraindication to the use of amiodarone during pregnancy. In view of the potential side effects, however, the use of amiodarone should be restricted to arrhythmias which are life-threatening or not controlled by conventional therapy.