[The amiodarone lung]

During the past 3 years, 51 cases of pulmonary lesions associated with the use of amiodarone, an effective anti-arrhythmic and anti-angina drug, have been reported in 17 publications. Durations of treatment, daily doses and total dosage were extremely varied. Clinical symptoms as well as radiological findings, respiratory function studies and laboratory data suggested hypersensitivity pneumonia. However, the histopathological substrate remains ill-defined, and while some data suggest a toxic effect, others are in favour of an immune reaction ending in diffuse pulmonary fibrosis. Five of the 11 deaths reported seem to be directly related to the drug. It would appear that long-term treatment with amiodarone requires regular periodical examination of the respiratory system.