Intravenous amiodarone-induced acute liver failure: a case report and literature review

Hepatotoxicity of amiodarone has long been described and consists mostly of mild and delayed onset elevation in liver function tests. Fulminant hepatitis, however, is much rarer and attributed to the parenteral administration of the drug. The mechanism of injury is yet to be understood, though multiple theories have been proposed. This case report aims at highlighting the importance of monitoring patients receiving intravenous amiodarone therapy to detect severe acute liver injury and showcase the appropriate management thereafter. Our patient is a 79-year-old male who presented with epigastric pain that was crampy, intermittent, and aggravated upon exertion. His heart rate was 93 beats/min and cardiac auscultation revealed an irregular heart rhythm. His electrocardiogram revealed atrial fibrillation. He was given intravenous amiodarone with a total dose of 950 mg and developed acute liver failure with extremely elevated liver function tests 48 hours after initiating the drug. After discontinuation, liver function tests returned to baseline within 10 days and the patient was discharged home. Physicians should be aware of the potentially life-threatening complications, including severe acute liver injury, by closely monitoring liver function tests following the administration of the drug and immediately discontinuing therapy if toxicity was detected.