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Amiodarone-Induced Pulmonary Toxicity Presenting as Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure in a Patient With Ventricular Tachycardia: A Case Report

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Amiodarone-induced pulmonary toxicity (APT) is a potentially life-threatening adverse effect of a commonly prescribed antiarrhythmic agent. APT can present with a wide spectrum of clinical and radiologic manifestations, often mimicking infectious or interstitial lung diseases, making timely diagnosis a clinical challenge. We report the case of a 54-year-old male with a history of ventricular tachycardia (VT) and an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), who presented with progressive dyspnea and hypoxemic respiratory failure three months after the initiation of oral amiodarone therapy. Imaging revealed diffuse bilateral pulmonary infiltrates, and infectious and cardiac etiologies were excluded through bronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage, and cardiac evaluation. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) demonstrated features consistent with organizing pneumonia. Following the prompt discontinuation of amiodarone and the initiation of systemic corticosteroids, the patient exhibited marked clinical and radiological improvement. This case underscores the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for APT in patients on long-term amiodarone therapy presenting with new respiratory symptoms.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.83564

Authors: Ammar Al Heyasat, Maida S Chaudhry, Ajwah Qasim, Zamir Shaikh

Institutions: Community Health Systems - Crestwood Medical Center, Doctors Hospital at Renaissance

Language: English

Topic: Interstitial Lung Diseases and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4410126280