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Acute respiratory failure on a low dose of amiodarone - is it an underdiagnosed and undertreated condition?

Mijo Meter1, Ivana Kuzmić Prusac2, Duška Glavaš1

  • 1Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Centre Split, Spinčićeva 1, 21000, Split, Croatia.

Respiratory Medicine Case Reports
|September 16, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Amiodarone-induced pulmonary toxicity (AIPT) can cause acute respiratory failure, even at low doses. Early diagnosis and risk factor identification are crucial for managing this rare but serious condition.

Area of Science:

  • Pulmonology
  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic drug used for atrial fibrillation.
  • Amiodarone-induced pulmonary toxicity (AIPT) is a rare but serious adverse effect.
  • AIPT can present with diverse clinical manifestations.

Observation:

  • A patient with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation developed acute respiratory distress syndrome.
  • The patient was on a low dose of amiodarone.
  • No specific risk or precipitating factors for AIPT were identified in this case.

Findings:

  • Amiodarone use was rarely associated with acute respiratory failure.
  • Diagnosis of AIPT was confirmed after amiodarone discontinuation and exclusion of other causes.
  • Acute respiratory failure due to AIPT is often underdiagnosed and undertreated.

Implications:

  • Better identification of risk factors for AIPT is needed.
  • Development of diagnostic tools for risk stratification in patients on amiodarone is mandatory.
  • Increased awareness can improve diagnosis and treatment of AIPT.
Keywords:
Acute respiratory failureAmiodaronePulmonary toxicity

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