Implementation of an Intravenous Sotalol Initiation Protocol:
Implications for Feasibility, Safety, and Length of Stay
Abstract
Introduction Oral sotalol initiation requires a multiple-day,
inpatient admission to monitor for QT prolongation during loading. A
one-day intravenous (IV) sotalol loading protocol was approved by the
FDA in March 2020, but limited data on clinical use and administration
currently exists. This study describes implementation of an IV sotalol
protocol within an integrated health system, provides initial efficacy
and safety outcomes, and examines length of stay compared to oral
sotalol initiation. Methods IV sotalol was administered according
to a pre-specified initiation protocol to adult patients with refractory
atrial or ventricular arrhythmias. Baseline characteristics, safety and
feasibility outcomes, and length of stay (LOS) were compared to patients
receiving oral sotalol over a similar time period. Results From
January 2021 to June 2022, a total of 29 patients (average age 66.0 ±
8.6 years, 27.6% women) underwent IV sotalol load and 20 patients
(average age 60.4 ± 13.9 years, 65.0% women) underwent PO sotalol load.
The load was successfully completed in 22/29 (75.9%) patients receiving
IV sotalol and 20/20 (100%) of patients receiving oral sotalol,
although 7/20 of the oral sotalol patients (35.0%) required dose
reduction. Adverse events interrupting IV sotalol infusion included
bradycardia (7 patients, 24.1%) and QT prolongation (3 patients,
10.3%). No patients receiving IV or oral sotalol developed sustained
ventricular arrhythmias prior to discharge. LOS for patients completing
IV load was 2.6 days shorter (mean 1.0 vs 3.6, p < 0.001)
compared to LOS with oral load. Conclusion Intravenous sotalol
loading has a safety profile that is similar to oral sotalol. It
significantly shortens hospital LOS, potentially leading to large cost
savings.