Transient Cardiomyopathy and Quadriplegia Induced by Ephedrine Decongestant

Methylephedrine-induced heart failure in a habitual user of paediatric cough syrup: a case report

Background

For relief of cold symptoms, methylephedrine is considered to be safer than ephedrine, particularly when used at the predetermined dose. It is often present in various over-the-counter (OTC) drugs for cold, including paediatric cough syrups.

Case summary

A 52-year-old man presented with worsening dyspnoea and anorexia for 2 weeks. He was a night shift worker and had been habitually taking large doses of methylephedrine-containing paediatric cough syrup for 20 years for sleep averting. On admission, his chest X-ray revealed pulmonary congestion and electrocardiogram showed sinus tachycardia with left-axis deviation. Echocardiography revealed diffuse hypokinesis with a reduced ejection fraction (EF) of 25%. The B-type natriuretic peptide level was elevated to 1092 ng/L. Even after treatment with low-dose dobutamine and furosemide in intensive care unit, right-heart catheterization demonstrated a ‘wet and cold’ profile. Coronary angiography revealed normal coronary arteries. Pathological examination by endomyocardial biopsy revealed cardiomyocyte hypertrophy with moderate interstitial and replacement fibrosis. In addition, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging revealed diffuse hypokinesis with mid-wall late gadolinium enhancement, which suggested fibrosis. Discontinuation of the cough syrup and optimal medical treatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and a β blocker resulted in improvement in the heart failure symptoms to New York Class Association Class II. The EF also improved to 50% at 4 months after discharge.

Discussion

Methylephedrine is considered to have adrenergic effects; it has milder side effects on the cardiovascular system than ephedrine. However, the long-lasting excessive intake of methylephedrine, even through OTC paediatric cough syrups, has the potential to cause heart failure.

Cardiomyopathy Related to a Weight Loss Supplement: A Case Report and Review of Literature

There are various etiologies of dilated cardiomyopathy. However, in young patients without a strong family history of cardiovascular disease, alcohol or drug abuse, viral infections, and absence of endocrine and metabolic abnormalities, ischemia is an unlikely cause. We present an interesting case of a young female without traditional risk factors who developed dilated cardiomyopathy following administration of a weight loss supplement xenadrine and had resolution of symptoms after discontinuation of the supplement.