Title of article :
Amiodarone-related blue–gray skin discoloration
Author/Authors :
Atıcı, Adem Department of Cardiology - Taksim Training and Research Hospital - İstanbul - Turkey , Asoğlu, Ramazan Department of Cardiology - Adıyaman University Training and Research Hospital - Adıyaman - Turkey , Barman, Hasan Ali Department of Cardiology - Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital - İstanbul - Turkey , Şahin, Irfan Department of Cardiology - Bağcılar Training and Research Hospital - İstanbul - Turkey
Abstract :
A 55-year-old male patient had experienced an anterior wall
myocardial infarction 7 years ago. Amiodarone was initiated in order to prevent monomorphic ventricular tachycardia; since
then, the patient was using amiodarone. The patient noticed
gradually increasing blue–gray discoloration on the skin for 5
months, particularly on the nose, forehead, and cheeks (Fig. 1).
A cardiologist, a dermatologist, and an internal medicine physician examined the patient for skin discoloration. Besides the
skin discoloration, physical examination and laboratory results
were normal. We noticed that the blue–gray discoloration increased under sunlight. Holter-electrocardiography was performed for 72 hours to check for cardiac arrhythmia, but no
arrhythmia was observed. We stopped the use of amiodarone
and optimized the dosage of metaprolol. The patient used sun
protection (sunscreen creams, clothing, and hats) to decrease
skin discoloration on his face.
Keywords :
amiodarone , skin discoloration , arrhythmia
Journal title :
The Anatolian Journal of Cardiology: Andolu Kardiyoloji Dergisi