1. The acute and chronic effects of amiodarone were studied on the transmembrane ionic currents in rabbit single ventricular myocytes at 35 degrees C by applying the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique. 2. Acute exposure to 1 and 5 microM amiodarone significantly reduced the amplitude (-53.9 +/- 3.9%, n = 5 and -64.0 +/- 2.0%, n = 3, P < 0.01), but chronic amiodarone treatment (i.p. 50 mg kg-1 day-1 for 3-4 weeks) changed neither the amplitude nor the kinetics of the inward calcium current. 3. Both acute superfusion with amiodarone (1 and 5 microM) and chronic amiodarone treatment significantly decreased the amplitude of the delayed rectifier outward potassium current (IK). 4. Acute application of amiodarone (1 and 5 microM) did not alter but chronic amiodarone treatment moderately depressed the transient outward current (Ito). 5. Neither the acute (1 and 5 microM) nor the chronic amiodarone treatment changed the magnitude of the inward rectifier potassium current (Ik1). 6. It is concluded that acute amiodarone application and chronic amiodarone treatment alter transmembrane ionic currents of ventricular myocytes differently. This may explain, at least in part, the marked differences in the cardiac electrophysiological effects observed after acute and chronic amiodarone treatment in patients.