Marked improvement of left ventricular function after parathyroidectomy in a hemodialysis patient with secondary...

A 52-year-old woman, a hemodialysis patient, was admitted because of exertional dyspnea. Echocardiography showed left ventricular (LV) dilatation and reduced contraction. Coronary angiography showed no fixed stenosis. She had elevated levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) as a result of secondary hyperparathyroidism with advanced renal failure. After parathyroidectomy, marked improvement of LV function following immediate decrease of blood levels of PTH was observed. It is suggested that PTH might have a significant role in the pathogenesis of LV dysfunction and that parathyroidectomy might be effective as a therapy for heart failure in some patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism and LV dysfunction.