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Case Reports
. 2022 Mar 17;35(3):363-365.
doi: 10.1080/08998280.2022.2039496. eCollection 2022.

Cardiomyopathy and heart failure secondary to anabolic-androgen steroid abuse

Onyedika J Ilonze  1 , Chioma O Enyi  2 , Chibuzo C Ilonze  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

Cardiomyopathy and heart failure secondary to anabolic-androgen steroid abuse

Onyedika J Ilonze et al. Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent). .

Abstract

Bodybuilders often use anabolic-androgenic steroids to improve performance. We report a case of a 30-year-old male bodybuilder with anabolic-androgen steroid abuse while getting ready for a bodybuilding contest. He had New York Heart Association class IV heart failure, severe nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, new-onset atrial fibrillation, cardiogenic pulmonary edema, and acute respiratory distress requiring mechanical ventilation. After 6 months of heart failure guideline-directed medical therapy, cessation of anabolic steroids, and maintenance of sinus rhythm, his ejection fraction improved.

Keywords: Anabolic-androgen steroid; guideline-directed medical therapy; heart failure; nonischemic cardiomyopathy.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
(a) Electrocardiogram showing atrial flutter with 2:1 atrioventricular conduction. (b) Echocardiogram, parasternal long axis view, showing moderately dilated left ventricle and left atrium.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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