Journal of Medical Case Reports (Oct 2007)

Atrial fibrillation-related cardiomyopathy: a case report

  • Peake Simon TC,
  • Mehta Paresh A,
  • Dubrey Simon W

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1752-1947-1-111
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 1, no. 1
p. 111

Abstract

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Abstract 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.