Amiodarone-induced alveolar hemorrhage

South Med J. 2006 Apr;99(4):383-7. doi: 10.1097/01.smj.0000208971.43461.bb.

Abstract

Amiodarone is increasingly prescribed for patients with ventricular and supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. Many adverse effects have been reported due to this drug and include injury to the liver, thyroid, cornea, skin, and neuromuscular system. Pulmonary toxicity is one of the more serious side effects of this anti-arrhythmic drug and is potentially fatal. Since the first case of amiodarone-induced pneumonitis was described in the early 1980s, amiodarone pneumonitis has been recognized as a distinctive and not uncommon form of drug-induced lung injury. On the other hand, amiodarone-induced pulmonary toxicity resulting in alveolar hemorrhage is rare. The authors report a patient with amiodarone-induced alveolar hemorrhage and review the literature.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Amiodarone / administration & dosage
  • Amiodarone / adverse effects*
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / adverse effects*
  • Atrial Fibrillation / drug therapy
  • Hemorrhage / chemically induced*
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Male
  • Pulmonary Alveoli*
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / drug therapy

Substances

  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
  • Amiodarone