EFFECTS OF AMIODARONE ON SERUM-LIPOPROTEIN LEVELS

Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic agent approved for the treatment of recalcitrant ventricular arrhythmias. It is an amphiphilic-iodinated organic compound with a prolonged elimination rate, and has been associated with a high incidence of thyroid dysfunction. 1 In a previous evaluation of the effects of amiodarone, serum cholesterol was monitored as a systemic marker for thyroid dysfunction.2 Unexpectedly, there were uniform increases in serum cholesterol independent of thyroid hormone status. Controversy exists as to whether there are changes in serum cholesterol levels in patients receiving amiodarone,2-6 and it is important to define the action of this drug on high-risk patients who already have heart disease. © 1991.