Why the study?
Amiodarone use is rarely associated with acute respiratory failure, but acute respiratory failure from amiodarone-induced pulmonary toxicity may be underdiagnosed and undertreated.
Highlights that amiodarone-induced pulmonary toxicity can present as acute respiratory failure even at low doses and without precipitating risk factors.
Low-dose amiodarone may cause ARDS without risk factors; extends AIPT spectrum but leaves open monitoring strategies.
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.
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Meter et al. (2021) studied this question.
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