Hypocalcaemia-induced transient dilated cardiomyopathy in elderly: a case report

Abstract

Hypocalcaemia is a rare cause of reversible heart failure. We reported a 76-year-old woman who had a severe systolic heart failure. She had severe hypocalcaemia due to hypoparathyroidism after thyroidectomy. Echocardiography showed a dilated left ventricle with a depressed left ventricular ejection fraction. Serum calcium level was low without other biological abnormalities. After calcium supplementation, heart failure improved rapidly. At 2 months, the calcium level was in a normal range and biventricular systolic and diastolic functions returned to normal.