Successful reversal of furosemide-induced secondary hyperparathyroidism with cinacalcet

Abstract

Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is a rare complication of furosemide therapy that can occur in patients treated with the loop diuretic for a long period of time. We report a 6-month-old 28-weeks premature infant treated chronically with furosemide for his bronchopulmonary dysplasia, who developed hypocalcemia and severe SHPT, adversely affecting his bones. Discontinuation of the loop diuretic and the addition of supplemental calcium and calcitriol only partially reversed the SHPT, bringing serum parathyroid hormone level down from 553 to 238 pg/mL. After introduction of the calcimimetic Cinacalcet, we observed a sustained normalization of parathyroid hormone concentration at 27 to 63 pg/mL and, with that correction, of all biochemical abnormalities and healing of the bone disease. No adverse effects were noted. We conclude that in cases of SHPT due to furosemide in which traditional treatment fails, there may be room to consider the addition of a calcimimetic agent.