Atrial fibrillation and anabolic steroids.
A young male bodybuilder, consuming large doses of anabolic steroids (AS), presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with symptomatic rapid atrial fibrillation (AF). Echocardiogram revealed significant septal hypokinesis, and posterior and septal wall thickness at the upper limit of normal for highly trained athletes. The atrial fibrillation had not recurred at 10 weeks after discontinuation of AS use. Consumption of these agents in athletes has been associated with hypertension, ischemic heart disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and sudden death.
Sullivan
M L
ML
Department of Emergency Medicine, Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA.
Martinez
C M
CM
Gallagher
E J
EJ
D000328:Adult; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000633:toxicity; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013177:Sports; D013197:Stanozolol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives
D045930:Anabolic Agents; D013739:Testosterone; D013197:Stanozolol; C016131:testosterone 17 beta-cypionate