Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2025
Establishment of a Simple and Effective Rat Model for Intraoperative Parathyroid Gland Imaging
Published on: August 17, 2022
Reversible dilated cardiomyopathy caused by primary hyperparathyroidism: A case report
Wei Jiang1, Yu-Zhi Qiu2, Hu-Tao Xi3
1School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610000, Sichuan Province, China.
Insights
Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) can cause dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and hypercalcemia. Surgical removal of a parathyroid adenoma successfully treated both conditions, improving cardiac function.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Medical Case Reports
Background:
- Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a leading cause of heart failure, often non-ischemic.
- Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) involves excess parathyroid hormone (PTH) and hypercalcemia, frequently asymptomatic.
- PHPT is a potential, often overlooked, cause of cardiac dysfunction.
Observation:
- A 52-year-old male presented with DCM, refractory hypercalcemia, dyspnea, anorexia, and abdominal distention.
- Elevated serum PTH and a parathyroid adenoma identified via sestamibi scan were noted.
- The patient underwent parathyroidectomy, confirming a parathyroid adenoma.
Findings:
- Post-parathyroidectomy, the patient's hypercalcemia resolved.
- Cardiac chamber dimensions decreased significantly after surgery.
- Marked improvement in overall cardiac function was observed.
Implications:
- This case highlights the critical link between PHPT and DCM.
- PTH level assessment is crucial for DCM patients with hypercalcemia.
- Surgical management of PHPT can reverse cardiac manifestations in DCM.
Background:
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common cause of systolic heart failure, and is the most prevalent type of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is characterized by hypercalcemia and excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH). Generally, PHPT is asymptomatic and is incidentally identified during routine laboratory assessments.
Case Summary:
This case report details a 52-year-old man diagnosed with DCM and refractory hypercalcemia, who presented with clinical manifestations including dyspnea, recurrent anorexia, and abdominal distention. Laboratory investigations indicated an elevated serum PTH level, and the sestamibi scan suggested the presence of a parathyroid adenoma. Hence, the patient underwent a parathyroidectomy, which pathologically confirmed the diagnosis of a parathyroid adenoma. Postoperatively, the patient's hypercalcemia was corrected, the dimensions of the cardiac chambers were reduced, and there was a marked improvement in cardiac function.
Conclusion:
Our findings emphasize the importance of PTH assessment in patients with DCM and concurrent hypercalcemia.
