Atrial fibrillation-related cardiomyopathy: a case report.
Sustained chronic tachyarrhythmias often cause a deterioration of cardiac function known as tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy or tachycardiomyopathy.The incidence of tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy is unknown, but in selected studies of patients with atrial fibrillation, approximately 25% to 50% of those with left ventricular dysfunction had some degree of tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy. It is an important clinical entity due to the high incidence and potential reversibility of the disease process.This case describes a cardiomyopathy induced by excess caffeine consumption. Six months following withdrawal of caffeine from the subject's diet, full resolution of symptoms occurred.
Peake
Simon Tc
ST
Department of Cardiology, The Hillingdon Hospital, Middlesex UK. s_peake@doctors.org.uk.
Mehta
Paresh A
PA
Dubrey
Simon W
SW