Pneumonitis after amiodarone therapy

Amiodarone (Cordarone) is an antiarrhythmic cardiac drug that is currently being evaluated in the United States. Pulmonary infiltrates developed in six of 34 patients who were receiving amiodarone in daily doses of 200-800 mg over a period of 1.5 to 12 months. Two patients died, one returned to normal after amiodarone had been discontinued for six months, and three have residual radiographic abnormalities (two continue to receive amiodarone with steroids). Radiologists should be aware of the history of amiodarone therapy and this possible serious side effect so that they can detect the earliest changes in the lung.