Four Fatal Cases of Amiodarone-Induced Pulmonary Toxicity.
10.4046/trd.2002.53.6.662
- Author:
Seung Woo LEE
1
;
Sang Haak LEE
;
Dong Seung YEO
;
Sook Young LEE
;
Seok Chan LEE
;
Kwan Hyoung KIM
;
Hwa Sik MOON
;
Jeong Sup SONG
;
Sung Hak PARK
;
Eun Sun JUNG
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. mdlee@catholic.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Amiodarone;
Lung;
Toxicity
- MeSH:
Amiodarone;
Cough;
Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions;
Dyspnea;
Epithelium;
Humans;
Lung;
Lung Diseases;
Oxygen;
Pulmonary Circulation;
Tachycardia
- From:Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
2002;53(6):662-672
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
The lungs are frequently the site of adverse drug reactions because of their higher oxygen concentration, the distinctive properties of the pulmonary circulation, and the close proximity of the alveolar epithelium to the blood. Amiodarone, an iodinated benzofuran derivative, is an effective antiarrhythmic drug commonly used for refractory tachyarrhythmia. However, it has a wide range of adverse effects, the most serious of which is lung disease. Most patients present with the insidious onset of dyspnea and a nonproductive cough, and generally recover after withdrawing the drug. We recently experienced four fatal cases of amiodarone pulmonary toxicity. Therefore, we discuss these unusual drug-induced pulmonary toxicity cases with a review of the relevant literature.
