Pharmacokinetic variables of Amiodarone were studied in six healthy dogs. P
lasma levels of amiodarone and its metabolite, desethylamiodarone, were det
erminated by HPLC at different moments, after an i.v. administration as inf
usion of 5 mg/Kg in two minutes. A compartment model independent pharmacoki
netic analysis program was used to evaluate plasma levels of amiodarone vs
time. The following results were obtained: AUC: 9.95 +/- 2.91 mu g/mL/hr, b
eta: 0.25 +/- 0.27 L/hr, Cl: 8.82 +/- 1.95 mL/min./Kg, TMR: 7.38 +/- 1.52 h
rs, t(1/2)beta 5.056 +/- 4.5 hrs and Vd: 3.424 +/- 2.3 L/Kg. Amiodarone pha
rmacokinetic disposition presented a rapid distribution and decrease from b
lood during the first 30 minutes after i.v. Then it was slowly eliminated.
It is concluded that amiodarone is an alternative to be considered in cardi
ac pathology in dogs, since the pharmacokinetic parameters, similar to thos
e of human volunteers, can contribute to determine the apropiate dose to be
administered.