Manifestations of left ventricular dysfunction and arrhythmia in patients with chronic hypoparathyroidism and pseudohypoparathyroidism: a preliminary study

Dilated cardiomyopathy in patients with hypoparathyroidism: A narrative review

Background

Hypoparathyroidism is a rare endocrine disorder characterized by low blood calcium levels, elevated phosphorus levels, and insufficient parathyroid hormone production. It can lead to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a cardiac condition characterized by enlarged ventricles and reduced heart function. This review aims to explore the relationship between hypoparathyroidism and DCM, the impact of calcium on cardiac function, and the potential for DCM reversal with calcium supplementation.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and relevant keywords and Mesh terms. Case reports evaluating dilated cardiomyopathy in patients with Hypoparathyroidism were included in the study. Additionally, references cited in each study were carefully examined to identify relevant reports. The cases included in the review were analyzed, and common cardiac manifestations, diagnostic approaches, and management were identified.

Results

DCM in hypoparathyroidism presents with symptoms of heart failure, reduced ejection fraction, and impaired left ventricular function. Laboratory tests show low serum calcium levels and elevated phosphate levels. Prompt diagnosis and treatment with calcium and vitamin D supplementation can lead to improvements in cardiac function.

Conclusion

Hypoparathyroidism-induced DCM is reversible with timely calcium and vitamin D supplementation. Patient compliance with prescribed medications and supplements is crucial to prevent and manage cardiac complications. Regular follow-up check-ups and monitoring of calcium levels can aid in early detection and improve patient outcomes. Educating patients about the importance of treatment adherence can significantly reduce the risk of developing DCM and other cardiac symptoms associated with hypoparathyroidism. Routine follow-up of DCM among patients with endocrine disorders is recommended.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a patient with secondary hypoparathyroidism: A case report

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) has direct and indirect actions on cardiovascular cells. The effects of chronic hypoparathyroidism on cardiac morphology, function, and conduction are still unclear. Low PTH states are associated with multiple manifestations in the heart, acute or chronic. Acute hypocalcemic cardiomyopathy is a transient dilated cardiomyopathy with reduced ejection fraction and diffuse left ventricular hypokinesia. Chronic hypoparathyroidism-associated cardiomyopathy is a rare disease that may cause reduced myocardial tension, cardiac cavity enlargement, arrhythmias, and congestive heart failure. Here, we describe a 73-year-old woman with chronic hypoparathyroidism and hypocalcemia, who developed a hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and not a dilated hypocalcemia-associated cardiomyopathy, which would be usually the case.

Lower Risk of Cardiovascular Events in Adult Patients with Chronic Hypoparathyroidism Treated with rhPTH(1-84): A Retrospective Cohort Study

Introduction

Patients with chronic hypoparathyroidism are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This study evaluated the risk of developing cardiovascular conditions over a period of 5 years in adult patients with chronic hypoparathyroidism treated with recombinant human parathyroid hormone (1–84), rhPTH(1–84), compared with a historical control cohort of patients not treated with rhPTH(1–84).

Methods

This retrospective cohort study comprised patients with chronic hypoparathyroidism treated with rhPTH(1–84) in the REPLACE (NCT00732615), RELAY (NCT01268098), and RACE (NCT01297309) clinical trials, and controls selected from the IBM^® Explorys electronic medical record database (January 2007–August 2019) who did not receive parathyroid hormone but who had enrollment criteria similar to those for the clinical trials. Cardiovascular outcomes were the first diagnosis of cerebrovascular, coronary artery, peripheral vascular disease, or heart failure during the study period.

Results

We evaluated 113 adult patients with chronic hypoparathyroidism treated with rhPTH(1–84) and 618 control patients who did not receive rhPTH(1–84). Over the 5-year follow-up period, 3.5% of patients (n = 4) in the rhPTH(1–84) cohort had a cardiovascular event compared with 16.3% (n = 101) in the control cohort. Kaplan–Meier analysis demonstrated that patients in the rhPTH(1–84) cohort had lower risk of experiencing a cardiovascular event compared with patients in the control cohort (P = 0.005). Multivariable analyses adjusted for baseline variables showed that patients in the rhPTH(1–84) cohort had 75% lower risk for a cardiovascular event compared with patients in the control cohort (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.25 [95% CI 0.08–0.81]; P = 0.020).

Conclusion

Long-term treatment with rhPTH(1–84) was associated with a lower risk of incident cardiovascular conditions compared with conventional therapy in patients with chronic hypoparathyroidism. Previous studies demonstrated that mineral homeostasis was maintained with lower use of calcium and active vitamin D when rhPTH(1–84) was added to conventional therapy. Future studies are needed to understand whether improved regulation of mineral homeostasis conferred by rhPTH(1–84) may provide long-term cardiovascular benefits to patients with chronic hypoparathyroidism.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12325-022-02198-y.