Dobutamine-related asthma in a patient awaiting cardiac transplantation: the eosinophilic dilemma.
Long-term continuous intravenous inotrope infusion is frequently used as a pharmacologic bridge to cardiac transplantation in patients with end-stage congestive heart failure. We report a case of severe eosinophil-associated asthma after 6 weeks of therapy with the inotrope dobutamine in a patient awaiting cardiac transplantation. Review of the laboratory data revealed a steady increase in eosinophils during the period of treatment with dobutamine. Once the patient was switched to an alternative inotrope, milrinone, the eosinophil count returned to normal, and the asthma exacerbation resolved.
Aranda
Juan M
JM
Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Shands Hospital, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA. arandjm@mail-cs.med.ufl.edu
Woo
Greg
G
Pauly
Daniel F
DF
Rodriguez
Edgar
E
Hill
James A
JA
Schofield
Richard S
RS
D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000188:drug therapy; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004280:Dobutamine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020105:Milrinone / Q000627:therapeutic use
D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D004280:Dobutamine; D020105:Milrinone