Comparative effect of amiodarone and amiodarone combined with other drugs in treatment of atrial fibrillation

AIM:To compare the effect of amiodarone alone and amiodarone combined with other drugs in treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: A total of 119 patients with AF were divided into single drug group (n=54) and multiple drug group (n=65). The single drug group received amiodarone treatment, whereas the multiple drug group received treatment of amiodarone together with glucose-insulin-potassium and diuretics. The recovery rate of AF and the maintenance rate of sinus rhythm were observed and compared after 6 months treatment. RESULTS: A significant increase in the recovery rate (from 80% vs. 94%) and a significant decrease in the recovery duration of sinus rhythm from (55±19) h to (39±15) h were observed in the multiple drug group. The maintenance rate increased from 81% to 95%, left atrial diameter decreased from (46±6) mm to (42±6) mm and the left ventricular diastolic diameter decreased from (52±7) mm to (45±6) mm in the multiple drug group. However, these phenomena were not seen in the single drug group. CONCLUSION: Compared with amiodarone alone, amiodarone combined with other drugs significantly increases the recovery rate and the maintenance rate in patients with AF.