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A case of massive dystrophic cardiac calcinosis with increased bone resorption markers: a novel pathophysiologic

Vedat Davutoglu1, Selim Kervancioglu, Yusuf Sezen

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Sahinbey Medical Center, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey. davutoglu@gantep.edu.tr

Cardiology in Review
|October 13, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Increased bone resorption may cause cardiac calcification and intractable heart failure in elderly patients. This case highlights a novel mechanism linking osteoporosis to severe cardiac dysfunction.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Geriatrics

Background:

  • A 72-year-old male presented with severe congestive heart failure refractory to treatment.
  • The patient had a history of anterior myocardial infarction 20 years prior.

Observation:

  • Echocardiography and CT revealed extensive cardiac calcification (myocardium, chordae, mitral annulus, aortic valve).
  • No chronic renal insufficiency or hypercalcemia were noted.
  • Elevated bone resorption markers and severe osteoporosis were diagnosed.

Findings:

  • A novel mechanism is proposed: increased bone resorption leads to calcium deposition in avascular heart tissues.
  • This calcification is exacerbated by high left ventricular end-diastolic pressure.

Implications:

  • Dystrophic cardiac calcinosis, linked to bone resorption, may cause cardiomyopathy and intractable heart failure.
  • This suggests a potential link between osteoporosis and age-related cardiac dysfunction, warranting further investigation.

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