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Amiodarone lung toxicity: role of pulmonary function tests
V Foresti1, L Carini, C A Lovagnini-Scher
1III Medical Department, Fatebenefratelli-Oftalmico Hospital, Italy.
International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Research
|January 1, 1987
Summary
Low-dose amiodarone hydrochloride rarely causes lung toxicity. Periodic monitoring via clinical exams, chest X-rays, and pulmonary function tests is recommended to detect early signs of amiodarone lung toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Amiodarone hydrochloride is an antiarrhythmic drug.
- Long-term amiodarone use can potentially lead to pulmonary toxicity.
- Understanding the risk-benefit profile is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and severity of amiodarone-induced lung toxicity.
- To assess the correlation between amiodarone dosage/duration and lung function.
- To evaluate the efficacy of routine monitoring in detecting early toxicity.
Main Methods:
- Clinical examination, chest roentgenograms, pulmonary function tests, and blood gas analyses were performed.
- Forty-three patients on amiodarone hydrochloride were studied.
- Cigarette smoking history was recorded as pack-years.
Main Results:
- Pulmonary function tests showed no significant differences from controls; no correlation between drug exposure and lung function.
- One patient exhibited interstitial chest X-ray abnormalities and reduced carbon monoxide diffusion capacity.
- 14% of treated patients had interstitial X-ray abnormalities versus 5.5% in controls; 22% had reduced diffusion capacity.
Conclusions:
- Low-dose amiodarone hydrochloride is associated with a low incidence of lung toxicity.
- Pulmonary function abnormalities, though detectable, were generally not severe enough to impair gas exchange.
- Regular monitoring, including clinical assessment, chest X-ray, and pulmonary function tests, is advised for early detection of amiodarone lung toxicity.