Plasma Cortisol Levels in Heart Failure

Abstract

Abolition of the circadian rhythm in plasma cortisol levels, with elevation of the midnight values, is reported in five patients with congestive cardiac failure. The disturbance in rhythm persisted throughout an episode of failure and appears to be unrelated to other nonspecific stress mechanisms. The possible mechanisms causing these disturbances are discussed. These findings are of importance in the differential diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome, based on plasma cortisol levels where there is concomitant congestive cardiac failure. © 1967, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.