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Multiple Choice

Which antiarrhythmic is available in an intravenous form?

In acute rhythm management, having an antiarrhythmic available in intravenous form allows rapid onset to stabilize a patient or control atrial/f ventricular arrhythmias when IV access is present. Amiodarone is the one antiarrhythmic that is commonly manufactured and used as an intravenous preparation, making it suitable for emergency use such as hemodynamically unstable arrhythmias or urgent conversion in atrial fibrillation. The other agents listed are typically given orally for maintenance or longer-term control. Dofetilide is used mainly as an oral agent with inpatient initiation due to QT prolongation risk. Quinidine sulfate is primarily oral, with IV use being less common and less favorable in modern practice. Sotalol for atrial fibrillation is usually prescribed orally in many settings. Therefore, amiodarone’s intravenous availability is what makes it the best answer for this question.

In acute rhythm management, having an antiarrhythmic available in intravenous form allows rapid onset to stabilize a patient or control atrial/f ventricular arrhythmias when IV access is present. Amiodarone is the one antiarrhythmic that is commonly manufactured and used as an intravenous preparation, making it suitable for emergency use such as hemodynamically unstable arrhythmias or urgent conversion in atrial fibrillation.

The other agents listed are typically given orally for maintenance or longer-term control. Dofetilide is used mainly as an oral agent with inpatient initiation due to QT prolongation risk. Quinidine sulfate is primarily oral, with IV use being less common and less favorable in modern practice. Sotalol for atrial fibrillation is usually prescribed orally in many settings. Therefore, amiodarone’s intravenous availability is what makes it the best answer for this question.