EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF INTRAVENOUS AMIODARONE FOR SHORT-TERM TREATMENT OF PAROXYSMAL SUPRAVENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA IN CHILDREN

The use of intravenous amiodarone was assessed during 23 episodes of p aroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia in 15 children aged 9 days to 1 1 years. Five of the fifteen patients had congenital structural heart disease, and three had Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome. Tachyarrhythmias were returned to sinus rhythm during 20 of the 23 episodes (87%). No major adverse effects occurred. Recurrence of tachycardia was not obse rved during short-term follow-up. In conclusion, intravenous amiodaron e is an effective, safe antiarrhythmic drug for short-term treatment o f supraventricular tachycardia in children.