Isolated ACTH deficiency presenting with severe myocardial dysfunction

A review of the interplay between Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and adrenal insufficiency: Catecholamine surge and glucocorticoid deficiency

BACKGROUND

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy (TCM) is a transient heart condition often precipitated by stress and characterized by atypical ventricular ballooning. The interplay between TCM and Adrenal Insufficiency (AI), particularly the influence of catecholamine excess and glucocorticoid deficiency on TCM's pathogenesis in individuals with AI, warrants comprehensive exploration for a better understanding of TCM pathophysiology and establishment of potential therapeutic strategies.

METHODS

We conducted an extensive literature search via PubMed and Google Scholar, targeting reports on AI, heart failure, and cardiomyopathy, supplemented by forward and backward citation tracing. We analyzed 46 cases from 45 reports, assessing the clinical presentation and outcomes in the context of AI categorization.

RESULTS

In patients with AI, a glucocorticoid deficit appears to exacerbate the myocardial vulnerability to catecholamine toxicity, precipitating TCM. Most conditions were reversible; however, three pre-1990 cases resulted in irreversible outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

The investigation into the AI and TCM intersection highlights the pathogenic significance of catecholamines in the absence of glucocorticoids. The data consolidates the hypothesis that glucocorticoid scarcity exacerbates the cardiac susceptibility to catecholaminergic toxicity, potentially triggering TCM. The study affirms glucocorticoids' cardioprotective roles and elucidates how catecholamine surges contribute to TCM pathogenesis, suggesting strategic clinical management adjustments for AI patients to reduce TCM incidence.

Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction Related to Adrenal Insufficiency in a Case due to Autoimmune Polyendocrine Syndrome Type 1 with a Novel Variant

Introduction

Primary adrenal insufficiency associated with cardiomyopathy has been rarely reported in children. We report a case of left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction related to adrenal insufficiency with autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1 (APS1).

Case Presentation

A 7-year-old girl presented with a loss of consciousness. She had hyperpigmentation over joints and enamel hypoplasia. Laboratory tests showed hypoglycemia, hyponatremia, hypocalcemia, and hyperphosphatemia. Endocrine evaluations revealed low serum parathyroid hormone, low cortisol, and high ACTH. Echocardiography showed moderate to severe mitral regurgitation and LV systolic dysfunction. Serum pro-brain natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP) level was high (2,348 pg/mL). Adrenal insufficiency, hypoparathyroidism, and enamel dysplasia suggested APS1. A novel homozygous variant in the AIRE gene, NM_000383, p.Cys322Arg (c.964T>C) confirmed the diagnosis. Calcium, calcitriol, and hydrocortisone treatments were started. Serum pro-BNP level returned to normal, and LV systolic function improved.

Conclusion

Here, we present a case of adrenal insufficiency and hypoparathyroidism associated with LV systolic dysfunction whose cardiac findings improved completely with hydrocortisone and calcitriol treatments. Our case is the second reported case of APS1 presenting with LV dysfunction.

Cardiogenic Shock Requiring Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support in a Patient with Panhypopituitarism: A Case Report

We present a 58-year-old female with a past history of a pituitary adenoma resected two years prior to admission who developed polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and cardiogenic shock requiring veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). We noted that the patient had stopped taking all of her medications six months prior to presentation. An extensive workup revealed acute panhypopituitarism with secondary hypothyroidism, secondary adrenal insufficiency, and central diabetes insipidus. She was immediately initiated on thyroid and adrenal hormone replacement therapy as well as fluid replacement. Within five days of her medical treatment, the patient's cardiac function improved and she was successfully weaned from VA-ECMO and subsequently discharged home with appropriate hormone replacement therapy.

Reversible dilated cardiomyopathy as a complication of adrenal cortex insufficiency: a case report

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular manifestations associated with Addison's disease are previously documented. We described a case of an 11-year-old girl who developed dilated cardiomyopathy as a complication to Addison's disease. Glucocorticoid replacement therapy resulted in near-complete recovery of cardiac function. It is the first reported case of reversible cardiomyopathy as a complication of primary adrenal insufficiency in Syria.

CASE PRESENTATION

An 11-year-old Caucasian girl with no significant past medical history presented with abdominal pain, vomiting after meals, and a low-grade fever. A physical examination and laboratory evaluation suggested primary adrenal insufficiency. An echocardiogram showed changes consistent with dilated cardiomyopathy. Causes of primary adrenal insufficiency other than autoimmune were excluded.

CONCLUSIONS

Dilated cardiomyopathy is a rare complication of primary adrenal insufficiency. Proper treatment of adrenal insufficiency with glucocorticoid replacement therapy resulted in restoration of normal cardiac function.

Reversible cardiomyopathy associated with autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type II

Recovery of the ventricular function in a patient with cardiomyopathy is very rare. Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome is also very rare. We herein report a case of reversed cardiomyopathy associated with autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type II (Schmidt's syndrome) composed of Addison's disease, vitiligo and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The ventricular function and size were reversed following the administration of suitable hormone replacement therapy for polyendocrine syndrome.