ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the therapeutic efficacy and safety of amiodarone combined with Shenmai Injection (参麦注射液) on atrial fibrillation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 351 patients with atrial fibrillation caused by cardiovascular diseases and idiopathic atrial fibrillation were assigned to amiodarone group (control group, 128 cases) and amiodarone combined with Shenmai Injection group (treatment group, 223 cases). The patients in the control group received intravenous injection of 150 mg amiodarone in 10 min, followed by intravenous drip infusion at 1 mg /min and 6 h later at 0.5 mg /min until 48 h or cardioversion. The patients in the treatment group received the same treatment of amiodarone, while in addition, they received an injection of Shenmai Injection of 100 mL simultaneously. Blood pressure, ventricular rate, and cardioversion were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total efficiency rate was 98% (control group) and 99% (treatment group) (P>0.05). The mean ventricular rate decreased 23% and 31% in the control group and the treatment group, respectively (P<0.05). The mean cardioversion time of the two groups was 570±211 min and 351±123 min, respectively (P<0.05). Only mild side effects were observed in both groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compared with amiodarone, amiodarone combined with Shenmai Injection takes effect more quickly with low side effects on the treatment of atrial fibrillation.</p>