Circulation Journal
Online ISSN : 1347-4820
Print ISSN : 1346-9843
ISSN-L : 1346-9843
Arrhythmia/Electrophysiology
Chronic Amiodarone Therapy Impairs the Function of the Superior Sinoatrial Node in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation
Hee-Sun MunChangyu ShenHui-Nam PakMoon-Hyoung LeeShien-Fong LinPeng-Sheng ChenBoyoung Joung
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2013 Volume 77 Issue 9 Pages 2255-2263

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Abstract

Background: The mechanisms underlying amiodarone-induced sinoatrial node (SAN) dysfunction remain unclear, so we used 3-dimensional endocardial mapping of the right atrium (RA) to investigate. Methods and Results: In a matched-cohort design, 18 patients taking amiodarone before atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation (amiodarone group) were matched for age, sex and type of AF with 18 patients who had undergone AF ablation without taking amiodarone (no-amiodarone group). The amiodarone group had a slower heart rate than the no-amiodarone group at baseline and during isoproterenol infusion. Only the amiodarone group had sick sinus syndrome (n=4, 22%, P=0.03) and abnormal (>550ms) corrected SAN recovery time (n=5, 29%; P=0.02). The median distance from the junction of the superior vena cava (SVC) and RA to the most cranial earliest activation site (EAS) was longer in the amiodarone group than in the no-amiodarone group at baseline (20.5 vs. 10.6mm, P=0.04) and during isoproterenol infusion (12.8 vs. 6.3mm, P=0.03). The distance from the SVC-RA junction to the EAS negatively correlated with the P-wave amplitudes of leads II (r=–0.47), III (r=–0.60) and aVF (r=–0.56) (P<0.001 for all). Conclusions: In a quarter of the AF patients, amiodarone causes superior SAN dysfunction, which results in a downward shift of the EAS and reduced P-wave amplitude in leads II, III and aVF at baseline and during isoproterenol infusion.  (Circ J 2013; 77: 2255–2263)

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© 2013 THE JAPANESE CIRCULATION SOCIETY
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