Why the study?
Does oral amiodarone induce acute fulminant hepatic failure and renal failure in patients with atrial flutter?
Does oral amiodarone induce acute fulminant hepatic failure and renal failure in patients with atrial flutter?
Oral amiodarone can rarely induce acute fulminant hepatic failure and renal failure even after a few doses, which may resolve upon discontinuation.
Prompts consideration of oral amiodarone in unexplained acute hepatic/renal failure; single case leaves incidence and causality open.
Amiodarone is a class III antiarrhythmic agent that inhibits adrenergic stimulation by blocking alpha and beta receptors. It prolongs action potential and refractory period in myocardial tissue. Its remarkably long half-life is associated with a myriad of adverse events. Here, we present an 85-year-old male patient who was started on amiodarone for atrial flutter. After three oral doses, he developed fulminant hepatic failure and acute renal failure, which resolved after stopping amiodarone. While fulminant hepatic failure is rare, it has been seen in less than 2% of patients. Alternative theories behind susceptibility to amiodarone-induced hepatic injury and acute kidney injury are discussed here.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Campbell et al. (2020) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: