Amiodarone pulmonary toxicity. 1992

W D Pitcher
Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Division, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.

Amiodarone is an effective antiarrhythmic agent whose utility is limited by many side-effects, the most problematic being pneumonitis. The pulmonary toxicity of amiodarone is thought to result from direct injury related to the intracellular accumulation of phospholipid and T cell-mediated hypersensitivity pneumonitis. The clinical and radiographic features of amiodarone-induced pulmonary toxicity are characteristic but nonspecific. The diagnosis depends on exclusion of other entities, such as heart failure, infection, and malignancy. While withdrawal of amiodarone leads to clinical improvement in majority of cases, this is not always possible or advisable. Dose reduction or concomitant steroid therapy may have a role in selected patients.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008168 Lung Either of the pair of organs occupying the cavity of the thorax that effect the aeration of the blood. Lungs
D006333 Heart Failure A heterogeneous condition in which the heart is unable to pump out sufficient blood to meet the metabolic need of the body. Heart failure can be caused by structural defects, functional abnormalities (VENTRICULAR DYSFUNCTION), or a sudden overload beyond its capacity. Chronic heart failure is more common than acute heart failure which results from sudden insult to cardiac function, such as MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION. Cardiac Failure,Heart Decompensation,Congestive Heart Failure,Heart Failure, Congestive,Heart Failure, Left-Sided,Heart Failure, Right-Sided,Left-Sided Heart Failure,Myocardial Failure,Right-Sided Heart Failure,Decompensation, Heart,Heart Failure, Left Sided,Heart Failure, Right Sided,Left Sided Heart Failure,Right Sided Heart Failure
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000542 Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic A common interstitial lung disease caused by hypersensitivity reactions of PULMONARY ALVEOLI after inhalation of and sensitization to environmental antigens of microbial, animal, or chemical sources. The disease is characterized by lymphocytic alveolitis and granulomatous pneumonitis. Allergic Alveolitis, Extrinsic,Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis,Pneumonitis, Hypersensitivity,Allergic Alveolitides, Extrinsic,Alveolitides, Extrinsic Allergic,Extrinsic Allergic Alveolitides,Extrinsic Allergic Alveolitis,Hypersensitivity Pneumonitides,Pneumonitides, Hypersensitivity
D000638 Amiodarone An antianginal and class III antiarrhythmic drug. It increases the duration of ventricular and atrial muscle action by inhibiting POTASSIUM CHANNELS and VOLTAGE-GATED SODIUM CHANNELS. There is a resulting decrease in heart rate and in vascular resistance. Amiobeta,Amiodarex,Amiodarona,Amiodarone Hydrochloride,Amiohexal,Aratac,Braxan,Corbionax,Cordarex,Cordarone,Kordaron,L-3428,Ortacrone,Rytmarone,SKF 33134-A,Tachydaron,Trangorex,Hydrochloride, Amiodarone,L 3428,L3428,SKF 33134 A,SKF 33134A

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