Amiodarone in Pediatric Patients

Recent interest in cardiac arrhythmias in children has been motivated by a growing awareness and understanding of primai}^ rhythm disorders in the young as well as by an increasing emergence of cardiac arrhythmias following surgical repair of many congenital heart defects.̂ An increased understanding and use of both conventional and investigational antiarrhythmic medications in children has, by necessity, accompanied this clinical development. Of particular interest is the emergence of amiodarone hydrochloride, an iodinated benzofuran derivative, in the treatment of arrhythmias. This article focuses on the electophysiology, pharmacology, experience, side effects, dosages, and indications for amiodarone especially relevant to the pediatric patient.