Variable use of amiodarone is associated with a greater risk of recurrence of atrial fibrillation in the critically ill

Abstract Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia affecting humans. It is an electrical disturbance that leads to rapid, disorganized, and asynchronous contraction of the atrial muscle. In clinical practice, it accounts for approximately one-third of hospitalizations for cardiac rhythm disturbances. The incidence of AF increases from less than 0.1% per year in those under 40 years old to exceed 1.5% per year in women and 2% per year in men older than 80 years. Aim of the Work: to discuss the effect of variation in amiodarone use (including dosage and duration) on dysrhythmia recurrence in patients with new-onset AF in ICU. Patients and Methods This was a prospective observational study conducted over 6 months, 60 patients who fulfilled inclusion criteria were included in the study divided in two groups according to amiodarone dosage, each group is 30 patients: Group (A): received a loading dose of amiodarone followed by an infusion (1200mg amiodarone). Group (B): received a loading dose of amiodarone not followed by an infusion (300mg amiodarone). Results a significant positive correlation was observed between level of C-reactive protein (CRP) and the rate of AF recurrence. As regard effect of CRP on AF recurrence; in AF recurrent patients, mean is (191±77.3) with range from 15 to 352 which significantly differed from Non-recurrent AF patients, mean is (89±63) with range from 20 to 223 (p value