Loading...
Amiodarone is the most frequently used antiarrhythmic drug for atrial fibrillation (AF). On the basis of the AFFIRM trial and some smaller trials, concern has been raised that antiarrhythmics (including amiodarone) are associated with worse clinical outcomes. To examine this issue, researchers conducted an analysis of data from the manufacturer-funded ARISTOTLE trial, in which 17,907 patients with paroxysmal, persistent, or chronic AF were randomized to warfarin or apixaban. Of these patients, 2051 (11.4%) were taking amiodarone at the initiation of the trial.
During a mean follow-up of about 2.7 years, patients on amiodarone had a significantly higher risk for stroke or systemic thromboembolism (1.58% per year vs. 1.19% year; adjusted hazar…