[Class III antiarrhythmic drugs]

Nihon Rinsho. 1996 Aug;54(8):2125-31.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

Class III antiarrhythmic drugs prolong action potential duration by blocking cardiac potassium channels. Amiodarone and d-1 sotalol are representative class III drugs commonly used for drug resistant arrhythmias. Amiodarone has miscellaneous properties including potassium, sodium, calcium, and nonspecific sympathetic blocking effects when it is given orally. It mainly blocks sodium channels when it's given intraveneously. Amiodarone requires careful follow up because of its important side effects. Some randomised studies are still ongoing to confirm whether amiodarone can improve mortality in patients with refractoly ventricular arrhythmias.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amiodarone* / pharmacokinetics
  • Amiodarone* / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents* / pharmacokinetics
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents* / pharmacology*
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / drug therapy*
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Humans
  • Sotalol

Substances

  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
  • Sotalol
  • Amiodarone