Lung disease associated with amiodarone treatment

A case of pneumonitis and pulmonary fibrosis occurring during long term treatment with amiodarone hydrochloride is described. The patient, a 68 year old woman, presented with severe dyspnoea and weakness 13 months after the institution of amiodarone therapy, 200 mg. bid 6 days/week. Chest x-ray showed patchy infiltrates involving the parahilar and medullary areas of both upper lobes. The clinical symptoms and the pulmonary signs improved only after amiodarone discontinuation and steroid treatment. Radiographic abnormalities gradually cleared over 45 days except for residual lines of fibrosis in the zones of previous alveolar consolidation still present 4 months later.