Harris et al. 40. Narula OS, Samet P, Javier RP: Significance of the sinus-node recovery time. SUMMARY Although amiodarone is an effective antiarrhythmic agent, long-term therapy may be associated with unwanted effects. We report our experience in 140 patients treated over 5 years. Important effects were seen particularly in the thyroid gland, liver, lung and skin. Some of these effects are dose-dependent and others may be related to the chemical structure and metabolism of amiodarone. Corneal microdeposits were always found when sought, but did not cause impairment of visual acuity.AMIODARONE has been available in Europe for approximately 20 years for the management of angina pectoris,' but only in the past decade have its unique antiarrhythmic properties been recognized.2 It is effective in the management of refractory ventricular arrhythmias, including those associated with ischemic heart disease and the cardiomyopathies.3 4 It is particularly useful in the management of chronic atrial arrhythmias refractory to conventional drugs, with an impressive conversion rate of chronic atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm.4 Amiodarone is especially effective in suppressing or modifying paroxysmal atrial arrhythmias, including those associated with the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome,5 in which sudden death from rapidly conducted atrial fibrillation is a risk.6With the more widespread use of amiodarone, several side effects have been identified. In the majority of

In an effort to standardize terminology and criteria for clinical electrocardiography, and as a follow-up of its work on definitions of terms related to cardiac rhythm, an Ad Hoc Working Group established by the World Health Organization and the International Society and Federation of Cardiology reviewed criteria for the diagnosis of conduction disturbances and pre-excitation. Recommendations resulting from these discussions are summarized for the diagnosis of complete and incomplete right and left bundle branch block, left anterior and left posterior fascicular block, nonspecific intraventricular block, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and related pre-excitation patterns. Criteria for intraatrial conduction disturbances are also briefly reviewed. The criteria are described in clinical terms. A concise description of the criteria using formal Boolean logic is given in the Appendix. For the incorporation into computer electrocardiographic analysis programs, the limits of some interval measurements may need to be adjusted.

suMMARY The effect of amiodarone on survival was assessed in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and ventricular tachycardia in a drug trial with historical controls. During 1976 and 1977, 24 hour (seven)

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