Lack of a hypotensive effect with rapid administration of a new aqueous formulation of intravenous amiodarone.

Hypotension is the most frequent adverse event reported with intravenous amiodarone. Hypotension has been attributed to the vasoactive solvents of the standard formulation (Cordarone IV) and is not dose related, but related to the rate of infusion. Drug labeling calls for intravenous amiodarone to be administered over 10 minutes.

Intravenous lidocaine versus intravenous amiodarone (in a new aqueous formulation) for incessant ventricular tachycardia.

The effectiveness of intravenous amiodarone for the treatment of incessant (shock resistant) ventricular tachycardia (VT) has not been established. This study evaluated the efficacy of a water-soluble amiodarone preparation or lidocaine for the treatment of shock-resistant VT. The trial was a double-blinded parallel design.