Soonchunhyang Med Sci.  2015 Dec;21(2):237-241. 10.0000/sms.2015.21.2.237.

A Case of Pleural Effusion and Pulmonary Edema Caused by Calcium Channel Blockers in a Patient of Systemic Hypertension

• Kim DK
• Kim JS
• Yi HR
• Choi IZ
• Ahn HS
• Cho WH

• KMID: 2317798
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.0000/sms.2015.21.2.237

Abstract

Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are very popular drugs to lower blood pressure (BP) without significant side effects. A 72-year-old man admitted for uncontrolled hypertension. He had history of hypertension, atrial fibrillation with slow ventricular response, angina, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and stage 3 chronic kidney disease. He had taken several anti-hypertensives, such as amlodipine 5 mg, perindopril 8 mg, and indepamide 1.5 mg. To control BP, nifedipine 120 mg was added. Then pulmonary edema and pleural effusion was developed. Echocardiography showed preserved left ventricular ejection fraction and mild mitral regurgitation. Fluid restriction and high dose furosemide did not cease pleural fluid accumulation. Thus a total of 4 times of thoracentesis were done and all fluid analyses revealed transudate. We thought that pleural effusion and pulmonary edema was induced by CCBs and discontinued the drugs. He recovered quickly and finally discharged in a stable condition.

Keyword

Calcium channel blockers; Pleural effusion; Pulmonary edema

MeSH Terms

Aged
Amlodipine
Antihypertensive Agents
Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal
Atrial Fibrillation
Blood Pressure
Calcium Channel Blockers*
Calcium Channels*
Calcium*
Echocardiography
Exudates and Transudates
Furosemide
Humans
Hypertension*
Mitral Valve Insufficiency
Nifedipine
Perindopril
Pleural Effusion*
Pulmonary Edema*
Renal Insufficiency, Chronic
Stroke Volume
Amlodipine
Antihypertensive Agents
Calcium
Calcium Channel Blockers
Calcium Channels
Furosemide
Nifedipine
Perindopril