From Hip to Heart: Cobalt-induced Cardiomyopathy Requiring Cardiac Transplantation

We describe a case of cobalt-induced cardiomyopathy that progressed to end stage heart failure requiring orthotopic heart transplantation. A 67 year old woman with history of bilateral cobalt-chromium hip replacements presented with dyspnea of 3 weeks duration. She was tachycardic and hypotensive, with elevated NT- proBNP. Electrocardiogram demonstrated sinus tachycardia, low voltage and right bundle branch block. Transthoracic echocardiogram revealed left ventricular ejection fraction of 20-25% with global hypokinesis and a moderate circumferential pericardial effusion.

Source: Journal of Cardiac Failure - September 30, 2020 Category: Cardiology Authors: Manavotam Singh, Amre Ghazzal, Mrinalini Krishnan, Ajay Kadakkal, Mark Hofmeyer, Phillip H. Lam, Maria E. Rodrigo, Hiroto Kitahara, Marc K. Halushka, Ezequiel J. Molina, Samer S. Najjar, Farooq H. Sheikh Tags: 466 Source Type: research