Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Beware of Diet Drugs Slimming the Heart.

There have been rare reports of dilated cardiomyopathy from chronic use of phentermine/topiramate, although very limited data are available. Phentermine is an atypical amphetamine analog that has been contraindicated in patients with a history of cardiovascular disease. We present a case of nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy in the setting of chronic phentermine/topiramate use, which is the most likely cause of her dilated cardiomyopathy.

Atrioventricular Block: An Unusual Presentation of Overactive Thyroid.

The clinical features of hyperthyroidism are varied, but bradyarrhythmia and atrioventricular (AV) block are typically not reported in hyperthyroid patients. We present here a case of primary hyperthyroidism with symptomatic high-grade AV block as the sole presenting feature of hyperthyroidism without any obvious precipitating factors for thyroid disease or AV block. This case highlights a rare presentation of high-grade AV block with the risk of progression to complete AV block as a complication of an untreated overactive thyroid.

Can takotsubo cardiomyopathy be familial?

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a form of reversible left ventricular dysfunction that is presumably precipitated by stress. Our observations of the recurrence of takotsubo cardiomyopathy in an individual and the occurrence of a reversible cardiomyopathy in her daughter lead us to speculate on the possibility of a familial predisposition to this entity or its variants.

Recurrence of stress-induced (takotsubo) cardiomyopathy.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a recently recognized form of transient left ventricular dysfunction that is presumably precipitated by stress and may clinically resemble an acute coronary syndrome. These patients have an akinetic left ventricular apex in an unusual shape that resembles a takotsubo. Although reports of single episodes of takotsubo cardiomyopathy are not infrequent in recent medical literature, we report a case of recurrence that may provide more insight into the nature of this syndrome.