Probable early acute hepatitis with parenteral amiodarone

Clin Cardiol. 1986 May;9(5):223-5. doi: 10.1002/clc.4960090512.

Abstract

A patient with acute changes suggesting acute hepatitis after parenteral amiodarone administration is described. A 77-year-old man with previous myocardial infarction was admitted with chronic left heart failure and atrial tachycardia. Initial hepatic function tests were strictly normal. After therapy with parenteral amiodarone (2300 mg in 3 days) and other measures, signs of congestive heart failure disappeared; subsequently the patient developed jaundice, marked increase in serum transaminase levels and fall in prothrombin time, and histologic changes of severe centrilobular necrosis were observed in hepatic biopsy. Clinical, laboratory (absence of others markers of hepatic disease), and histological findings seem to rule out common causes of hepatic disease. Therefore, parenteral amiodarone was implicated as the cause of acute hepatitis in this patient. In addition, there were findings suggesting a possibly immunologically mediated mechanism.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Amiodarone / adverse effects*
  • Amiodarone / therapeutic use
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / drug therapy*
  • Benzofurans / adverse effects*
  • Biopsy
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / etiology*
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / pathology
  • Coronary Disease / drug therapy*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Humans
  • Infusions, Parenteral
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Function Tests
  • Male

Substances

  • Benzofurans
  • Amiodarone