Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026

In Vivo Telemetry to Record Long-Term Cardiovascular Parameters, Temperature, and Activity in Spinal Cord Injury Rat Models
Published on: January 2, 2026
Cardiomyopathy presenting as severe fatigue in a person with chronic spinal cord injury
Alice Kam1, Rajini Sankaran, Kempe Gowda
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Background/Objective:
To describe a case of fatigue associated with cardiomyopathy in a man with spinal cord injury.
Study Design:
Case report.
Subject:
An obese 35-year-old man with long-term ASIA A L2 paraplegia, accompanied by a 2-year history of progressive severe fatigue.
Methods:
Physical examination showed obesity, hypertension, tachycardia, and pitting edema. An echocardiogram showed a 20% ejection fraction, severe dilation, and global hypokinesis in the left ventricle and mild to moderate mitral regurgitation.
Results:
Symptoms improved after treatment with furosemide, warfarin, ramipril, and continuous positive airway pressure for obstructive sleep apnea.
Conclusion:
Severe progressive fatigue in a patient with chronic SCI may signal cardiomyopathy. Diagnostic studies may be warranted in patients with progressive fatigue.
Related Concept Videos
Cardiomyopathy VI: Nursing Management
Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology
Imbalances in Cardiac Output
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send blood...
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Heart Failure III: Clinical Manifestations
Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

