Acute respiratory failure on a low dose of amiodarone – is it an underdiagnosed and undertreated condition?

• Published in: Respiratory medicine case reports 2021-01, Vol.34, p.101500, Article 101500
• Main Authors: Meter, Mijo, Prusac, Ivana Kuzmić, Glavaš, Duška, Meter, Diana
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acute respiratory failure; Amiodarone; Case Report; Pulmonary toxicity
• ISSN: 2213-0071; 2213-0071
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2021.101500

Amiodarone-induced pulmonary toxicity (AIPT) has a variety of presentations. Amiodarone use has been rarely associated with the development of acute respiratory failure. We present a patient with a history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation who developed acute respiratory distress syndrome despite taking a low dose of amiodarone and having no risk or precipitating factors. The diagnosis of AIPT was made after drug discontinuation and exclusion of other potential causes. The development of acute respiratory failure due to AIPT is often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Better identification of risk factors and developing appropriate diagnostic tools for risk stratification of patients receiving amiodarone is mandatory. •Amiodarone use is rarely associated with the development of acute respiratory failure.•The most clinical presentation of AIPT is a subacute illness presented by the nonproductive cough, progressive dyspnoea, and low-grade fever•The diagnosis of AIPT is often made after drug discontinuation and exclusion of other potential causes.•Identification of risk factors and developing appropriate diagnostic tools for risk stratification of patients receiving amiodarone is mandatory