AMIODARONE-INDUCED PULMONARY TOXICITY - PREDISPOSING FACTORS, CLINICAL SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT

Amiodarone is frequently used for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias . Although the therapeutic efficacy of amiodarone has been established , its use is limited by its safety profile. Amiodarone-induced pulmona ry toxicity is one of the most life-threatening complications of this therapy. It is a relatively rare adverse effect of amiodarone and is e asily missed by any physician who is suddenly confronted with nonspeci fic pulmonary complaints during amiodarone treatment. There are severa l cumulative factors which may enhance the susceptibility of patients for amiodarone-induced pulmonary toxicity, such as advanced age and pr e-existing pulmonary dysfunction. Several case studies and clinical tr ials of amiodarone have shown the possible occurrence of amiodarone-in duced pulmonary toxicity during low dose and short-duration therapy. T herefore, the dose and duration of amiodarone treatment are not the on ly determinants of toxicity risk. Amiodarone-induced pulmonary toxicit y is characterised by various clinical manifestations such as coughing , dyspnoea, fever, bodyweight loss, respiration-related chest pain and bilateral lung infiltrates with no escavated nodules. Once amiodarone -induced pulmonary toxicity has been diagnosed, therapeutic options ar e limited, but in most cases the disease is reversible, if diagnosed a t an early stage.