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[Cardiac changes in patients with hypercalcemia]
T Stefenelli1, S Globits, J Bergler-Klein
1Abteilung für Kardiologie, Universitätsklinik für Innere Medizin II, Wien.
Insights
Hypercalcaemia significantly increases cardiovascular disease mortality risk. Patients often show ECG changes, left ventricular hypertrophy, and heart valve calcification, necessitating baseline screening.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Calcium Metabolism
Context:
- Hypercalcaemia, elevated calcium levels in the blood, is associated with significant health risks.
- Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide.
- Understanding the link between metabolic disturbances and cardiac health is crucial.
Purpose:
- To investigate the heightened risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in patients with hypercalcaemia.
- To identify specific cardiovascular manifestations associated with hypercalcaemia.
- To recommend appropriate baseline screening for affected individuals.
Summary:
- Patients with hypercalcaemia exhibit a substantially elevated risk of death from cardiovascular disease compared to normocalcaemic individuals.
- Common cardiovascular findings include electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities, left ventricular hypertrophy, and myocardial calcific deposits.
- Increased incidence of angina pectoris and cardiac valve calcification are also noted.
Impact:
- Highlights the critical need for cardiovascular risk assessment in hypercalcaemic patients.
- Suggests that baseline screening for hypercalcaemia should incorporate ECG and echocardiography.
- Emphasizes the importance of managing calcium levels to mitigate cardiovascular complications.
Abstract:
Patients with hypercalcaemia have a markedly greater risk of dying from cardiovascular disease than normocalcaemic age- and sex-matched controls. Cardiovascular findings in hypercalcaemic patients frequently include characteristic ECG changes, left ventricular hypertrophy, and myocardial calcific deposits. Furthermore, these subjects have a higher incidence of angina pectoris and calcification of the heart valves. Baseline screening for hypercalcaemia should include ECG and echocardiography.