Cardiomyopathy presenting as severe fatigue in a person with chronic spinal cord injury.

BACKGROUND/

OBJECTIVE

To describe a case of fatigue associated with cardiomyopathy in a man with spinal cord injury.

STUDY

DESIGN

Case report.

SUBJECT: An obese 35-year-old man with long-term ASIA A L2 paraplegia, accompanied by a 2-year history of progressive severe fatigue.

METHODS

Physical examination showed obesity, hypertension, tachycardia, and pitting edema. An echocardiogram showed a 20% ejection fraction, severe dilation, and global hypokinesis in the left ventricle and mild to moderate mitral regurgitation.

RESULTS

Symptoms improved after treatment with furosemide, warfarin, ramipril, and continuous positive airway pressure for obstructive sleep apnea.

CONCLUSION

Severe progressive fatigue in a patient with chronic SCI may signal cardiomyopathy. Diagnostic studies may be warranted in patients with progressive fatigue.