Amiodarone distribution in human tissues after long-term therapy: a case of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy

Heart Vessels. 2002 May;16(4):154-6. doi: 10.1007/s003800200012.

Abstract

The tissue distribution of amiodarone and desethylamiodarone, its active metabolite, was examined in an autopsied case, an 85-year-old man, with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) who had been receiving amiodarone for 4 years. High concentrations of amiodarone, a very highly lipophilic compound, were found in adipose and bone marrow tissues. Despite a low dose (100 mg daily), the concentrations of amiodarone were higher in the epicardial fat (570.4 microg/g) and in the right atrium (165.3 microg/g) than previously reported in patients with other cardiac diseases. The ratios of amiodarone/ desethylamiodarone concentrations in both tissues were >1. This unique distribution demonstrates the involvement of histological characteristics of ARVC, such as fatty replacement of myocardium. We anticipate that a low dose of amiodarone would be effective in preventing arrhythmia in some patients with ARVC.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / drug effects*
  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism*
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Amiodarone / metabolism
  • Amiodarone / therapeutic use*
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / metabolism
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia / drug therapy
  • Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia / metabolism
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Electrocardiography
  • Heart Ventricles / metabolism
  • Heart Ventricles / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Time
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
  • Amiodarone