Amiodarone-associated hemoptysis

Amiodarone is a benzofuran derivative with a chemical structure similar to thyroxine, Originally introduced to treat angina pectoris, amiodarone was f ound to have antiarrhythmic properties, and in 1985, was approved in the Un ited States for treatment of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. It i s now used for various ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias refract ory to conventional first-line medications, and as a result, side effects h ave been observed with increased frequency. The most severe and potentially life-threatening of these side effects is the development of pulmonary tox icity. Typically, amiodarone pulmonary toxicity (APT) is manifested by acut e pneumonitis and chronic fibrosis, Amiodarone-associated hemoptysis (AAH) is a rare occurrence. The authors describe a case of AAH successfully treat ed with cessation of drug and steroid therapy.