Amiodarone in Control of Sustained Tachyarrhythmias in Children with Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome

Abstract

The Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome in children is often associated with rapid supraventricular tachyarrhythmias.1-4 Commonly, these arrhythmias are of brief duration and respond promptly to conventional medications. In some patients, however, cardiovascular compromise and even circulatory collapse may supervene due to a prolonged arrhythmia resistant to various pharmacologic agents. The wide spectrum of medications, such as digoxin, quinidine, propranolol, and verapamil, used in order to control and prevent these arrhythmias in children with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome indicates lack of optimal therapy.1-4 Surgical interruption of the accessory pathway has also been undertaken.5 Recent experience with amiodarone hydrochloride, a relatively new antiarrhythmic drug, has shown favorable effects in adult patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and recurrent arrhythmias following failure of traditional medications.6-9