Acute Decompensated Heart Failure Secondary to Exogenous Triiodothyronine Use in a Young Non-athlete Weightlifter

Cureus. 2019 Oct 22;11(10):e5964. doi: 10.7759/cureus.5964.

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) is a common cardiovascular disorder and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. HF is usually detected in the elderly population, in particular, in patients with coronary artery disease, valvular disease, myocarditis, and hypertension. Acute decompensated HF in previously healthy young patients should raise suspicion for other rare etiologies. We report a case of a 28-year-old male presenting with acutely decompensated HF secondary to performance-enhancing drugs (PED). The use of non-regulated, non-approved PED has become a world-wide health problem with patients often unaware of the potentially serious and fatal side effects.

Keywords: cardiogenic shock; clenbuterol; heart failure; performance enhancing drugs; triiodothyronine.

Publication types

  • Case Reports