[A case of glycogen storage myopathy with acute heart failure]

A case of 25-year-old woman with glycogen storage myopathy is reported here. She was hospitalized for acute heart failure after alcohol drinking. The electrocardiogram on admission showed marked ST elevation. Laboratory data showed elevated levels of serum myogenic enzymes but no rise in cardiomyogenic enzyme: CK 3862 IU/l CK-MB 35 IU/l, LDH 427 IU/l, GOT 203 IU/l. After several days, she recovered from acute heart failure and could walk without supporting. ST elevation in ECG and elevated myogenic enzymes were also normalized. The occurrence of acute myocardial infarction was ruled out because a coronary angiogram and 99 Tcm scintigram were normal. Physical examination revealed proximal muscular weakness and mental retardation (WAIS, total 72). Venous lactate response was normal after semi-ischemic forearm exercise. PAS staining of muscle specimen showed an excess deposit of glycogen. Ragged-red fibers were not seen on Gomori-trichrome stain. By electron microscopy, a large amount of glycogen particles were demonstrated in the subsarcolemma, but there were no abnormal mitochondrial changes. Biochemical analysis showed accumulation of glycogen in muscles: 28.7 mg/g muscle (normal 11.4 +/- 4.2 mg/g muscle). The activities of enzyme in the pathway of glycogen and glycogenosis (alpha-glucosidase, amylo-1,6-glucosidase, phosphorylase a, phosphorylase kinase, phosphofructokinase, etc.) were within normal limits. The spectrum of glycogen iodine complex was normal. Our case was different from any type of muscle glycogen storage disease previously reported. The etiology of an excess of glycogen deposit in muscles is unknown.