[Amiodarone-induced pulmonary fibrosis]

Orv Hetil. 1996 Aug 11;137(32):1759-62.
[Article in Hungarian]

Abstract

The most feared side-effect of long-term amiodarone therapy is progressive alveolitis/pneumonitis leading to pulmonary fibrosis. The case history of a patient is presented who received amiodarone unnecessarily in a high dose (600 mg/day) for 4 years: drug-induced dermatopathy, hypothyroidism and lung fibrosis developed. After cessation of amiodarone treatment the pulmonary complication did not disappear therefore glucocorticoid therapy was introduced. New-onset improductive cough, dyspnea, fever and/or enhanced erythrocyte sedimentation rate may suggest the presence of amiodarone pulmonary toxicity and may form the basis of indication of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). Amiodarone-induced pulmonary involvement can be shown by HRCT early, before the appearance of any considerable abnormality of chest radiography.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Amiodarone / administration & dosage
  • Amiodarone / adverse effects*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis / chemically induced*
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Amiodarone