Cardiomyopathy in an adult with Bartter's syndrome and hypokalemia. Hemodynamic, angiographic and metabolic studies.
A case of an adult with Bartter's syndrome (hyperplasia of the juxtaglomerular complex with hyperaldosteronism and hypokalemic alkalosis) is described; the patient had the unusual manifestation of cardiomyopathy, probably secondary to severe hypokalemia. Results of metabolic studies and kidney biopsy were consistent with Bartter's syndrome; angiographic and hemodynamic findings were abnormal. The cardiomyopathy was confirmed at autopsy after the patient's sudden death. Conclusions from this case are that severe hypokalemia can pose a serious threat both immediately in the form of dangerous arrhythmias and in the long term in the form of cardiomyopathy.
D000328:Adult; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000097:blood; D001477:Bartter Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism; D006332:Cardiomegaly / Q000209:etiology; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D006929:Hyperaldosteronism / Q000150:complications*; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000150:complications*; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000209:etiology
D000450:Aldosterone; D012083:Renin