Electrocardiogram Changes in Addison Disease: Potential Clinical Marker for Adrenal Crisis

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objective: To present a unique phenomenon of a patient in addisonian crisis with electrocardiogram (ECG) anomalies that resolved following glucocorticoid therapy. Methods: We present the case report followed by discussion with literature review. Results: A 25-year-old male with Addison disease (AD) presented with a 1-week history of lightheadedness, shortness of breath, chest pain, abdominal pain, postural hypotension, and tachycardia. The patient was diagnosed with addisonian crisis and started on intravenous, high-dose glucocorticoids. An ECG showed right-heart axis deviation and T-wave inversions. In the context of ongoing chest pain, there was concern for myocardial ischemic attack and the patient underwent an extensive cardiac evaluation. Cardiac workup was negative and an echocardiogram showed an ejection fraction of 50 to 55%. The ECG abnormalities resolved 1 day into his hospital admission and his other symptoms resolved 2 days following treatment with steroids. Conclusion: AD is a rare, potentially lethal, and commonly misdiagnosed disease often first encountered clinically amidst an incident episode of adrenal crisis. Our AD patient was undergoing an adrenal crisis with ECG changes positive for probable cardiac ischemia. Glucocorticoid deficiency has been previously linked with decreased cardiac function and myocardial ischemia, though the underlying mechanisms are not fully clear. This patient recovered within 2 days after receiving corticosteroid supplementation. There have been similar cases previously reported. In each of these, patients underwent extensive and costly workup to evaluate cardiac function, yet all patients fully recovered with corticosteroids. Understanding the physiology and clinical presentation of adrenal crisis will be useful in establishing an earlier diagnosis, thus preventing mortality and avoiding unnecessary, expensive evaluations.