Amiodarone Pulmonary Toxicity. Recognition and Pathogenesis (Part I)

Amiodarone represents an important new approach in the treatment of serious cardiac rhythm disturbances and is associated with significant pulmonary toxicity in approximately 5 to 10 percent of patients. The recognition of APT in patients receiving the drug early in the course of the disease will likely preclude the development of a permanent loss of pulmonary function in these patients. It is important for the clinician to individualize both the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to the patient receiving amiodarone who is thought to have pulmonary toxicity secondary to the drug. Several diagnostic and therapeutic decisions are available, and it is important to constantly reevaluate the risk-benefit ratios of the decision making process. Future studies may improve insight into the assessment of APT and may permit the clinician to diagnose this toxicity at an earlier and potentially more reversible stage of the disease process.