Cardiology Expert Witness Opines on Side Effects of Amiodarone

This case involves a sixty-year-old woman who was being treated by a cardiologist after she sustained cardiac arrest. It was determined that the patient had experienced an episode of ventricular fibrillation. Her cardiologist decided to prescribe her amiodarone for her arrhythmia. She voiced concerns to her physician that she did not like to take medication because of the side effects. Her physician explained that side effects were rare with amiodarone and that she did not need to be concerned. She was scheduled for a follow-up appointment in one month. Due to scheduling problems, the woman was not seen by her physician for two months. At her follow-up appointment, she told the cardiologist that she had been experiencing shortness of breath and cough. She was referred to a pulmonologist who determined that she sustained lung damage evidenced by abnormal pulmonary function tests and a decreased diffusing capacity. An x-ray of her chest revealed pulmonary fibrosis. The pulmonologist told the woman that she most likely developed pulmonary fibrosis secondary to amiodarone therapy. Additional laboratory work also revealed that her thyroid hormone levels were low and her liver enzymes were elevated. It was recommended that she be switched to another medication to treat her arrhythmia. A few months later, her thyroid and liver function tests returned to baseline. However, she still experienced pulmonary symptoms which required lifelong immunosuppression.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

1. Did this cardiologist follow the standard of care when prescribing amiodarone, and what should have been done to prevent pulmonary fibrosis from developing?

Expert Witness Response

This cardiologist did not warn this patient about all the potential side effects of amiodarone therapy. With this knowledge, she could have been made aware of her other treatment options. Additionally, he should have kept the one-month, follow-up appointment with the patient to address the potential effects of amiodarone. Some side effects and medical conditions associated with amiodarone therapy include pulmonary fibrosis, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, liver damage, corneal deposits, blue-gray skin discoloration, peripheral neuropathy, epididymitis, gynecomastia, and increased risk for cancer in males. As a result of amiodarone treatment, this patient developed pulmonary fibrosis, hypothyroidism, and liver damage. Although thyroid and liver functioning was restored, the woman required lifelong treatment for her pulmonary fibrosis. Treatment of pulmonary fibrosis usually involves strong immunosuppressive therapy with steroids, cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, methotrexate, or other agents. These medications are often used to treat cancer and have significant side effects on their own.