title: Characteristics and outcome of patients with heart failure due to anabolic-androgenic steroids.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study was to analyse the outcome of patients with advanced heart failure due to abuse of anabolic-androgenic steroids.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective chart review of patients admitted or referred for advanced heart failure, due to anabolic-androgenic steroid abuse, in the period 2009-2013 was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 6 of 9 patients (median age: 31, all males) referred in the study period, some potential for recovery of left ventricular (LV) function was seen (P < 0.002), with a maximal improvement in LV ejection fraction reached within 6 months of treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and beta-blockers. The remaining 3 patients required implantation of a LV assist device (LVAD) and were listed for heart transplantation. No recovery of LV function in the patients treated with assist device was seen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Anabolic-androgenic steroid-induced advanced heart failure is generally not a reversible condition. If diagnosed in the early stages some recovery of ventricular function is possible, but the long-term prognosis is uncertain. Likely, a substantial proportion of patients will eventually require LVADs or cardiac transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Heart Centre , Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen , Denmark.
authors.forename: Eva Bjerre
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Søndergaard
authors.forename: Jens Jakob
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Thune
authors.forename: Finn
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gustafsson
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000728:Androgens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003718:Denmark; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D062072:Patient Acuity; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D013995:Time
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D045930:Anabolic Agents; D000728:Androgens; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
keywords: AAS; anabolic; androgenic; heart failure; steroids