Gradual progression of interstitial pneumonia induced by bepridil

Abstract

A 74-year-old man was administered bepridil for the treatment of atrial fibrillation since February 2008. However, he developed exertional dyspnea in October 2008. Computed tomography scans of his chest revealed extensive bilateral peribronchial consolidations. Examination of transbronchial lung biopsy specimens revealed moderate infiltration of lymphocytes. Since drug-induced pneumonia was suspected, we initiated steroid therapy. After 3 weeks of treatment, the symptoms were alleviated. In this case, the time taken for the development of dyspnea was 226 days, and the clinical course was gradual. We believe that a long-term periodic follow-up is essential in patients receiving bepridil. © 2009 The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine.