Cardiomyopathy induced by anabolic-androgenic steroid abuse. (23rd July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Garner, Orlando; Iardino, Alfredo; Ramirez, Ana; Yakoby, Maty
• Is Part Of: BMJ case reports. Volume 2018
• Publication Date: 2018-07-23
• Subjects: interventional cardiology -- cardiovascular system -- adult intensive care; Medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2017-223891
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-790X

Abstract

Abstract : Bodybuilders use anabolic-androgenic steroids to increase muscle mass, but abuse of these hormones has been related to cardiomyopathy in the past. A 60-year-old Caucasian male bodybuilder with medical history of male hypogonadism and on testosterone replacement therapy, allegedly preparing for a weightlifting competition and receiving stem cell infusions from his trainer, is transferred to the intensive care unit for worsening shortness of breath after failing treatment for community-acquired pneumonia. Chest X-ray on transfer was suggestive of pulmonary oedema, and transthoracic echocardiography showed an ejection fraction of 25%–30%. The patient was taken for cardiac catheterisation, which yielded non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy. His testosterone levels were supratherapeutic. Anabolic-androgenic steroid abuse can be a cause of cardiomyopathy in patients who have no other risk factor for such disease.