Elevated liver enzymes associated with dronedarone for atrial fibrillation

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Published on: February 28, 2012

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Kelly R Ragucci1

  • 1Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Outcomes Sciences, South Carolina College of Pharmacy, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.

SAGE Open Medical Case Reports
|August 5, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Dronedarone, a medication for atrial fibrillation, can cause liver injury. Monitoring liver enzymes is crucial, especially during the first six months of treatment, as elevated levels may indicate drug-induced damage.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Hepatology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Atrial fibrillation management often involves antiarrhythmic drugs.
  • Dronedarone is prescribed for atrial fibrillation but carries potential risks.
  • Post-marketing surveillance has indicated a risk of liver injury associated with dronedarone.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a case of potential dronedarone-induced liver injury.
  • To highlight the importance of monitoring liver function in patients taking dronedarone.
  • To increase clinician awareness of dronedarone's hepatotoxicity.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of a 51-year-old male patient with atrial fibrillation.
  • Analysis of liver enzyme levels (AST and ALT) before, during, and after dronedarone therapy.
  • Correlation of liver enzyme changes with dronedarone use and discontinuation.

Main Results:

  • The patient experienced significant elevations in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) after 3 months of dronedarone therapy.
  • Liver enzymes returned to normal levels 2.5 months after discontinuing dronedarone.
  • The temporal relationship suggests dronedarone as the cause of elevated liver enzymes.

Conclusions:

  • The presented case supports the potential for dronedarone to cause liver injury.
  • Clinicians should monitor liver enzymes periodically in patients treated with dronedarone, particularly within the initial 6 months.
  • Heightened awareness and vigilant monitoring are necessary to prevent or manage dronedarone-induced hepatotoxicity.

Keywords:
Dronedaroneatrial fibrillationelevationenzymeshepaticliver

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