Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to analyse the outcome of patients with advanced heart failure due to abuse of anabolic-androgenic steroids.
DESIGN: 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.
CONCLUSION: 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.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Scandinavian cardiovascular journal : SCJ |
| Volume | 48 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| Pages (from-to) | 339-42 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| ISSN | 1401-7431 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Dec 2014 |
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