Hypocalcemia and Reversible Cardiomyopathy Assessed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Introduction

Calcium is a fundamental component of biological systems and plays a key role in excitation-contraction coupling in cardiac myocytes. Calcium entry triggers a mechanism known as calcium-induced calcium release, in which calcium released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum is modulated by the influx of calcium from the extracellular space. Muscle contraction subsequently occurs through the interaction between calcium and the troponin-tropomyosin complex. In the heart, intracellular calcium is the primary regulator of contractile force (inotropism).

Hypocalcemia-induced cardiomyopathy is a rare condition with few reports in the scientific literature. We present a clinical case associated with hypoparathyroidism, one of the main causes of chronic hypocalcemia. This case report includes a novel element: the use of cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (cMRI), which, to our knowledge, has not been previously described in the literature.

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