A E Fraire, K K Guntupalli, S D Greenberg, J Cartwright, M H Chasen
Amiodarone, a benzofuran derivative, has proven useful in the control of serious cardiac arrhythmias. We reviewed the English language medical literature to characterize clinical, radiographic, scintigraphic, pathologic, diagnostic, and prognostic data concerning amiodarone pulmonary toxicity. Our review showed that features consistent with amiodarone pulmonary toxicity include exertional dyspnea, fever, and high sedimentation rates, usually in patients taking larger maintenance doses. Positive findings on gallium scan, foamy alveolar macrophages on lung biopsy or bronchoalveolar lavage, and resolution of abnormal chest roentgenogram upon withdrawal of amiodarone and/or institution of corticosteroid therapy support a diagnosis of amiodarone pulmonary toxicity...
January 1993: Southern Medical Journal