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Amiodarone is often used to treat ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). In addition to a low incidence of proarrhythmia, several small studies have reported that the drug improves ventricular function and exercise tolerance. This investigation by the Department of Veterans Affairs studied amiodarone's effects on left ventricular function, CHF symptoms, and hospitalizations for heart failure.
Researchers randomized 674 patients with New York Heart Association class II through IV symptoms and an ejection fraction of 40% or less to receive amiodarone (300 to 400 mg/day) or placebo for a median of 45 months. Patients were evaluated at baseline and after 6, 12, and 24 months. Ejection fracti…