Cardiomyopathy induced by anabolic-androgenic steroid abuse

BMJ Case Rep. 2018 Jul 23:2018:bcr2017223891. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2017-223891.

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.

Keywords: adult intensive care; cardiovascular system; interventional cardiology.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anabolic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Cardiomyopathies / chemically induced
  • Cardiomyopathies / diagnosis*
  • Cardiomyopathies / diagnostic imaging
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Echocardiography
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Substance-Related Disorders / complications*
  • Testosterone Congeners / adverse effects*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Weight Lifting*

Substances

  • Anabolic Agents
  • Testosterone Congeners