A Case of Reversible Cardiomyopathy Managed Successfully

Cardiomyopathy accounts for 0.7% of cardiac deaths in the United States. Dilated cardiomyopathy as the primary manifestation of hyperthyroidism is a rare phenomenon. Presenting the case of a middle-aged African American woman with a history of hypertension and asthma, who experienced progressive shortness of breath. Extensive work-up revealed dilated cardiomyopathy with hyperfunctioning thyroid gland that responded well to antithyroid therapy. An interval echocardiogram showed significant reversal of cardiac dysfunction. The reversible nature of this disease entity was again proven when the patient was successfully treated for heart failure for the second time a few months later and was again found to have normalization of cardiomyopathic changes.