Ventricular fibrillation in hypercalcaemic crisis due to primary hyperparathyroidism

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Endocrinology
• Medical Case Reports

Background:

• Primary hyperparathyroidism is a common endocrine disorder.
• Hypercalcaemia, elevated calcium levels, is a frequent complication of primary hyperparathyroidism.
• Cardiac arrhythmias are known complications of hypercalcaemia.

Observation:

• A 64-year-old male patient presented with severe hypercalcaemia.
• The patient developed ventricular fibrillation shortly after admission.
• No other cause for the ventricular fibrillation was identified.

Findings:

• Severe hypercalcaemia was the direct cause of ventricular fibrillation in this patient.
• Ventricular fibrillation represents a novel and critical cardiac manifestation of severe hypercalcaemia.
• This is the first reported instance of ventricular fibrillation associated with hypercalcaemia.

Implications:

• Clinicians should consider severe hypercalcaemia in the differential diagnosis of ventricular fibrillation.
• Prompt recognition and management of hypercalcaemia are crucial to prevent fatal cardiac events.
• This case expands the understanding of the cardiac effects of hypercalcaemia.