Clinical Applications and Acute Hepatotoxicity of Intravenous Amiodarone

This cross-sectional, retrospective study was designed to evaluate the current clinical applications and acute hepatotoxicityofintravenousamiodarone administration at a hospital in China. Clinical data were collected from 1214 patients receiving intravenous amiodarone treatment between October 2003andSeptember2005.Baselinepatient characteristics, drug indications, administration records and acute hepatotoxicity associated with the drug were examined. Amiodarone was used primarily in arrhythmic patients with obvious cardiac dysfunction. Atrial fibrillation and ventricular arrhythmia were the two most commonly treated dysfunctions. Incorrect indications and administration methods were also noted. Hepatotoxicity occurred in 12.6% of the patients, but was mild in most cases. Males showed a higher incidence of hepatotoxicity than females. The use of amiodarone was considered to be reasonable and standardized, but there was still considerable room for improvement, particularly in the standardization of administration guidelines. Intravenous amiodarone can causehepatotoxicityandhepaticfunction tests should be performed soon after givingamiodarone intravenously.