Primary hypoparathyroidism presenting with heart failure and ventricular fibrillation

Abstract

A 24-year-old female presented with sudden heart failure and ventricular fibrillation. A complete work-up suggested the existence of primary hypoparathyroidism in an otherwise previously healthy young woman. Left ventricle enlargement was detected by echocardiography with an ejection fraction of 30%. Electrolyte disorders dominated the laboratory results, with severe hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia and other changes, which were corrected with infusion therapy. An improvement of her overall condition prompted a switch from electrolyte infusion therapy to the oral route after the first week of treatment. The patient was discharged under calcium, calcitriol, diuretics and angiotensin-converting-enzyme-inhibitors oral maintenance therapy. Two months after discharge, her ejection fraction remained low (33%), although the endsystolic volume had returned to normal values, and her general status had substantially improved. Within a period of 4 months her cardiac function improved significantly and the follow-up surveillance echocardiography showed an ejection fraction of 53%, with normal left ventricle dimensions.