title: Diffuse infiltrative lung disease associated with flecainide. Report of two cases.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Service de Médecine Interne, Pavillon Sénac, Hôpital Purpan, F-31059 Toulouse Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pesenti
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lauque
authors.forename: Ghislaine
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Daste
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Boulay
authors.forename: Marie-Christine
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Pujazon
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Carles
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D005424:Flecainide