Continued Antiarrhythmic Medication (Class) and Dose Uses in VA/SCA Target Electrophysiological Effects Pharmacological Characteristics Common Adverse Effects CLINICAL STATEMENTS AND GUIDELINES discontinuance of the medication.S5.1.5.2-26 For this rea- son, chronic treatment of young patients with amioda- rone should be reserved as a bridge to more definitive treatment options such as catheter ablation. Baseline evaluation of patients may include ECG, liver function tests, thyroid function tests, chest x-ray, and pulmo- nary function tests (including diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide). Monitoring for toxicity generally includes periodic history and physical exami- nation, as well as evaluation of the ECG, chest x-ray, and thyroid, liver, and lung function. High-resolution chest CT is generally reserved for suspected pulmonary Although sotalol has some efficacy in suppressing VA, it has significant proarrhythmic effects and has not been shown to improve survival.S5.1.5.2-31 D-sotalol was shown in the SWORD (Survival With Oral d-Sotalol) trial to increase the risk of death in patients with heart Unlike amiodarone and many other an- tiarrhythmic agents, sotalol appears to reduce the de- Also, sotalol may lead to HF decompensation, and so its use in patients with an LVEF <20% is generally avoided. 5.1.4. Calcium Channel Blockers For the treatment of most VA, nondihydropyridines cal- cium channel blockers have no role. In fact, intravenous verapamil given for sustained VT has been associated with hemodynamic collapse, especially in patients with For patients with a structural- ly normal hearts, verapamil or diltiazem can suppress some outflow tract origin.S5.1.5.2-35 S5.1.5.2-39 Oral and in- travenous verapamil are effective in treating idiopathic interfascicular reentrant LVT.S5.1.5.2-38 Calcium channel bloickers should not be given to patients with VT in the settin of HFrEF. 5.1.5. 