[The development and x-ray morphology of amiodarone pneumopathy]

Besides general extracardiac physical side effects, the antiarrhythmic amiodarone hydrochloride gives rise to morphologically manifest organ changes. Pneumopathy has been reported in up to 8% of the patients treated with this preparation. Radiologically and histologically, the clinical picture can resemble that of exogenous allergic alveolitis. When the course is protracted there is interstitial fibrotic degeneration of the pulmonary parenchyma with a corresponding morphological correlate in the X-ray. The extent to which the changes observed result from dose-dependent toxicity of amiodarone has not been completely elucidated even now, since pulmonary changes suggestive of an immune process can occur even at low doses. When there is reason to suspect the presence of amiodarone pneumopathy, the preparation should be discontinued. Radiological and clinical findings generally regress with cortisone treatment.