Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Generation of Hypoparathyroid Rats via Carbon-Nanoparticle-Assisted Parathyroidectomy
03:57

Generation of Hypoparathyroid Rats via Carbon-Nanoparticle-Assisted Parathyroidectomy

Published on: July 14, 2023

Reversible hypocalcemic heart failure with T wave alternans and increased QTc dispersion in a patient with chronic

Y Iwazu1, S Muto, S Ikeuchi

  • 1Department of Nephrology, Jichi Medical School, Minamikawachi, Kawachi, Tochigi, Japan.

Clinical Nephrology
|January 25, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Severe hypocalcemia, a rare cause of heart failure, was observed in a patient with chronic kidney disease. Prompt calcium correction reversed heart failure and ECG abnormalities, highlighting calcium

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Nephrology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Hypocalcemia is rarely recognized as a reversible cause of heart failure.
  • Chronic kidney disease and post-parathyroidectomy states can precipitate severe hypocalcemia.
  • Calcium's role in myocardial contractility is critical for maintaining cardiac function.

Observation:

  • A 51-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease post-parathyroidectomy presented with congestive heart failure.
  • The patient exhibited severe hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, and hypokalemia.
  • Heart failure symptoms and ECG abnormalities, including reduced ejection fraction and increased QTc dispersion, were noted.

Findings:

  • Severe hypocalcemia, exacerbated by discontinued calcium supplements and reduced vitamin D synthesis due to kidney damage, was identified.
  • Correction of serum calcium levels led to significant improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction and resolution of ECG abnormalities.
  • Serum calcium levels, but not magnesium or potassium, correlated with ejection fraction and QTc dispersion.

Implications:

  • This case underscores hypocalcemia as a potentially reversible cause of heart failure and ECG disturbances.
  • Monitoring and correcting calcium levels are crucial in patients with chronic kidney disease and post-parathyroidectomy.
  • Highlights the direct association between hypocalcemia and cardiac dysfunction, including heart failure and arrhythmias.

Related Concept Videos

Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis01:21

Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis

Calcium is not only the most abundant mineral in bone but also the most abundant mineral in the human body. Calcium ions are needed for bone mineralization, tooth health, heart rate regulation and strength of contraction, blood coagulation, the contraction of smooth and skeletal muscle cells, and the regulation of nerve impulse conduction. The average calcium level in the blood is about 10 mg/dL. When the body cannot maintain this level, a person will experience hypo or hypercalcemia.
Disturbances in Heart Rhythm01:29

Disturbances in Heart Rhythm

Arrhythmia or dysrhythmia refers to an abnormal heart rhythm caused by a defect in the heart's conduction system. It can cause the heart to beat irregularly, too quickly, or too slowly, leading to symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and fainting. Factors such as stress, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, certain drugs, congenital defects, diseases, and electrolyte abnormalities can trigger arrhythmias.
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow heart...
ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias01:25

ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias

Arrhythmia is a condition characterized by an irregular heart rhythm, with ECG changes that differ based on its origin and nature. The types of arrhythmias discussed below include atrial, junctional, and ventricular arrhythmias.Atrial ArrhythmiasPremature Atrial Complexes (PACs): PACs are early atrial beats caused by stress, caffeine, alcohol, electrolyte imbalances, hypoxia, hyperthyroidism, or certain medications (e.g., bronchodilators and decongestants). The ECG shows early P waves with an...
Dysrhythmias III: Characteristics of Dysrhythmias01:29

Dysrhythmias III: Characteristics of Dysrhythmias

Dysrhythmias, also known as arrhythmias, are irregular heart rhythms that result from abnormal electrical activity in the heart, affecting its ability to circulate blood efficiently. Tachyarrhythmias, a subset of dysrhythmias, are characterized by abnormally fast heart rates exceeding 100 beats per minute. Here are some types of tachyarrhythmias with their distinct ECG features:Sinus Tachycardia:Sinus tachycardia presents a regular heart rhythm with an increased rate of 101-180 beats per minute.
Cardiac Catheterization I: Pre-Procedure Overview01:28

Cardiac Catheterization I: Pre-Procedure Overview

Cardiac catheterization is an invasive diagnostic technique used to identify and evaluate structural and functional diseases of the heart and major blood vessels. This technique diagnoses congenital heart disease, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, and coronary spasms and assesses ventricular function. It helps guide treatment decisions, including the need for revascularization procedures like percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and...
The Parathyroid Glands00:59

The Parathyroid Glands

The two pairs of parathyroid glands embedded within the posterior surface of the thyroid gland are restricted by a dense capsule around them. These glands comprise two distinct cell populations—parathyroid oxyphil and parathyroid principal cells- pivotal in calcium homeostasis.
Oxyphil cells, whose functions remain elusive, emerge during late puberty, adding a layer of complexity to the parathyroid gland's intricacies. In contrast, principal parathyroid cells undertake a vital role by producing...