Syncope and inducible ventricular fibrillation in a woman with hemochromatosis.
BACKGROUND
Hemochromatosis has been associated with atrial tachyarrhythmias and congestive heart failure as a consequence of dilated or restrictive cardiomyopathy. Inducible ventricular fibrillation has not been previously described.


RESULTS
An electrophysiologic study was conducted in a woman after two episodes of syncope. Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PMVT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF) were induced with ventricular programmed stimulation. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated signal loss in the liver consistent with hemochromatosis, but normal cardiac size and function. Hematologic studies supported a diagnosis of hemochromatosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Cardiac hemochromatosis may be associated with serious ventricular arrhythmias.
Strobel
J S
JS
Division of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, USA. jstrobel@crml.uab.edu.
Fuisz
A R
AR
Epstein
A E
AE
Plumb
V J
VJ
D004452:Echocardiography; D004554:Electric Countershock; D015716:Electrocardiography, Ambulatory; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006432:Hemochromatosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology; D012008:Recurrence; D013575:Syncope / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy