Propafenone-induced liver injury.
OBJECTIVE
To describe propafenone-induced liver injury.


METHODS
Retrospective case report.


METHODS
Referred care in a large tertiary care center. Laboratory tests were performed at the auxiliary site and the tertiary care center.


METHODS
A 71-year-old woman with atrial fibrillation developed elevations of greater than two times the upper limit of normal in alkaline phosphatase (ALK), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) after initiation of propafenone therapy.


METHODS
Studies included serial measurements of ALK, ALT, AST, and GGT.


RESULTS
The patient developed elevations of greater than two times the upper limit of normal in ALK, ALT, and AST, one month after initiating propafenone therapy. The propafenone dose was decreased from 900 to 675 mg/d and, ten days later, the ALK, ALT, and AST were decreased slightly, but still above the upper limit of normal. One month later, serum transaminases had returned to baseline, but propafenone therapy was discontinued because of recurrent atrial fibrillation, persistent elevation in ALK, and elevation in GGT. Two months after discontinuing propafenone, serum aminotransaminase and ALK concentrations had normalized and GGT had decreased and remained only slightly elevated.


CONCLUSIONS
The occurrence of liver injury secondary to propafenone therapy is rare. Reported cases appear to be secondary to hepatocellular injury, cholestasis, or a combination of the two. In this case, the pattern demonstrated by elevations in liver enzymes may be classified as acute cholestatic liver injury. Because the reported incidence is 0.1-0.2 percent and there are no known fatalities secondary to propafenone liver injury, routine monitoring of liver function tests in all patients receiving propafenone cannot be recommended at this time. Baseline liver function tests prior to initiating propafenone therapy with follow-up laboratory studies one month later are recommended in patients with known liver dysfunction. If elevations are noted, a reduction in dose may result in lower liver enzyme concentrations, although discontinuation of therapy may be required in some cases.
Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, PA 19104.
S A
SA
Spinler
C A
CA
Elder
K E
KE
Kindwall
D000368:Aged; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000201:enzymology; D010414:Pennsylvania; D011405:Propafenone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
D011405:Propafenone; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase