Diffuse infiltrative lung disease associated with flecainide. Report of two cases.
We present two patients who developed subacute diffuse infiltrative lung disease while receiving flecainide for supraventricular arrhythmia. They had bilateral subpleural lung opacities on computed tomography. Bronchoalveolar lavage revealed increased numbers of lymphocytes and eosinophils, and a low CD4/CD8 ratio. Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia was documented by open lung biopsy in patient 1. The outcome was favorable after flecainide withdrawal and prednisone treatment. Drug-induced pneumonitis should be suspected in patients treated with flecainide presenting with subacute diffuse infiltrative lung disease.
Pesenti
Sarah
S
Service de Médecine Interne, Pavillon Sénac, Hôpital Purpan, F-31059 Toulouse Cedex, France.
Lauque
Dominique
D
Daste
Ghislaine
G
Boulay
Vincent
V
Pujazon
Marie-Christine
MC
Carles
Pierre
P
D000368:Aged; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; D005424:Flecainide / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D013617:Tachycardia, Supraventricular / Q000188:drug therapy
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D005424:Flecainide