[Acute cholestatic hepatitis caused by propafenone. Report of a case and review of the literature].

A case of acute cholestatic hepatitis associated with use of propafenone is reported. Hepatitis developed 3 weeks after the beginning of administration of this drug. The close time relationship between the administration of the antiarrhythmic drug and the acute onset of the liver damage, the exclusion of hepatobiliary disease and the rapid normalisation of biochemical parameters following withdrawal of the drug strongly suggest that propafenone was involved in the pathogenesis of this syndrome. Meticulous taking of patient history and clinical assessment are mandatory for the early identification of drug-induced hepatotoxicity and avoidance of more severe types of reactions, such as liver failure.