cardiovascular-agents and Hypocalcemia

The common rhythm disturbances related to electrolyte imbalance are due predominantly to abnormalities of potassium. An understanding of the mechanism underlying these abnormalities is facilitated by a brief review of normal electrical activity during impulse propagation in cardiac tissue. Also discussed are the actions of all cardioactive and antiarrhythmic drugs on membrane permeability to ions. Lastly, the nonspecific arrhythmias associated with endocrine disturbances are outlined.

Topics: Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Cardiovascular Agents; Cimetidine; Digitalis Glycosides; Electrocardiography; Endocrine System Diseases; Humans; Hypercalcemia; Hyperkalemia; Hypocalcemia; Hypokalemia; Magnesium; Psychotropic Drugs; Water-Electrolyte Balance; Water-Electrolyte Imbalance

Topics: Calcium; Cardiovascular Agents; Cell Death; Heart; Heart Diseases; Humans; Hypocalcemia; Infant

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.

Topics: Adult; Calcium Compounds; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated; Cardiovascular Agents; Diagnosis, Differential; Echocardiography; Electrocardiography; Female; Heart Failure; Humans; Hypocalcemia; Myocardial Contraction; Stroke Volume; Vitamin D