Autopsy of Drug-induced Lung Injury with Atypical Diffuse Alveolar Disorder due to Amiodarone: A Case Report

Abstract

Amiodarone, a prominent antiarrhythmic drug, may cause lung injury. We herein report the case of an 87year-old man who had been taking amiodarone for 5 years and was subsequently referred due to respiratory failure. Chest computed tomography revealed multiple consolidations with air bronchograms in both lungs. Despite administering steroid pulse therapy, his respiratory failure worsened, and he died 3 days later. Autopsy revealed hyaline membrane formation and organic formation with fibrin deposition. Drug-induced lung injury caused by amiodarone was confirmed by autopsy. Caution is therefore required when fibrin deposition in the alveolar spaces is observed in such cases, which are prone to suffer a rapid deterioration.