PULMONARY TOXICITY DURING INFUSION OF LIPOSOMAL AMPHOTERICIN-B IN 2 PATIENTS WITH ACUTE-LEUKEMIA

Pulmonary toxicity with acute dyspnea occurred during infusion of a li posomal amphotericin B preparation (AmBisome) in two adult leukemic pa tients. The preparation was administered as a one hour infusion at a d ose of 3 mg/kg body weight. Within 15 min after starting the infusion, both patients experienced sudden onset of dyspnea and chest tightness . Physical examination showed the patients to be anxious and restless with tachycardia and orthopnea but without other cardiopulmonary findi ngs. No elevation of body temperature, rigors or chills were recorded. Symptoms disappeared within minutes after discontinuing the infusion. At present, the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying these side eff ects are unknown.