Ewha Med J.  2013 Sep;36(2):144-148. 10.12771/emj.2013.36.2.144.

Amiodarone-Induced Pulmonary Toxicity: Percutaneous Needle Aspiration Biopsy and Ultrastructural Findings

• Kang IS
• Lee JH
• Sung SH
• Park SH

• KMID: 2171250
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12771/emj.2013.36.2.144

Abstract

Amiodarone has been widely used for supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias and many patients benefit from its effectiveness in treating potentially life-threatening arrhythmias. However, this drug can cause multi-organ toxicity, including amiodarone-induced pulmonary toxicity (APT). Not only does amiodarone have a long half-life but also is lipophilic and therefore can easily accumulate in tissues. Hence, it is difficult to monitor therapeutic levels and side effects, making it difficult to predict toxicities. In this case, we describe multi-organ complications secondary to amiodarone use, especially APT combined with pneumonia with atypical pathogens and pulmonary hemorrhage. The patient reached a high cumulative dose of amiodarone despite a low maintenance dose of amiodarone. This case highlights an unusual presentation of APT with multi-organ toxicity and we review articles regarding the association between the cumulative dose of amiodarone and amiodarone-induced toxicities.

Keyword

Amiodarone; Lung, toxicity; Respiratory insufficiency

MeSH Terms

Amiodarone*
Arrhythmias, Cardiac
Biopsy, Needle*
Drug Toxicity*
Half-Life
Hemorrhage
Humans
Pneumonia
Respiratory Insufficiency
Amiodarone