A rare cause of reversible dilated cardiomyopathy: hypocalcemia

Echocardiography. 2004 Oct;21(7):609-12. doi: 10.1111/j.0742-2822.2004.03149.x.

Abstract

Hypocalcemia is a rare cause of reversible heart failure. We reported a 40-year-old woman who had severe heart failure resistant to the usual antifailure therapy. She had severe hypocalcemia due to hypoparathyroidism after strumectomy. Echocardiography showed a large left ventricle with very low ejection fraction of 25% and moderate mitral regurgitation. After supplementation of calcium and vitamin D, her clinical situation and hemodynamics improved rapidly. At 15 months, myocardial impairment resolved fully. In conclusion, hypocalcemia should be considered in the differential diagnosis of resistant severe heart failure.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Calcium Compounds / therapeutic use
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / drug therapy
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / etiology*
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / physiopathology
  • Cardiovascular Agents / therapeutic use
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Echocardiography
  • Electrocardiography
  • Female
  • Heart Failure / drug therapy
  • Heart Failure / etiology*
  • Heart Failure / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Hypocalcemia / complications*
  • Hypocalcemia / diagnosis*
  • Hypocalcemia / drug therapy
  • Hypocalcemia / physiopathology
  • Myocardial Contraction / drug effects
  • Stroke Volume / drug effects
  • Vitamin D / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Calcium Compounds
  • Cardiovascular Agents
  • Vitamin D