A case report of cobalt cardiomyopathy leading to electric storm and cardiogenic shock: the importance of the orthopaedic background in patients with heart failure of unknown aetiology

The first series of cobalt cardiomyopathy was described in the 60s in relation to the abuse of a cobalt containing beer. Since then, millions of metal hip arthroplasties have been performed and a small number of cobalt cardiomyopathies related to metal prosthesis have been reported.

We report a case of a 48-year-old man who developed a severe non-dilated restrictive cardiomyopathy in the setting of a systemic metallosis following several hip arthroplasties. The diagnosis was suspected by exclusion of other more common causes for restrictive cardiomyopathies and confirmed by the levels of cobalt and chromium in the serum and the endomyocardial biopsy performance that showed metal deposits in myocardial tissue. Despite the removal of the metal prosthesis and a significant decrease in serum metal levels, he suffered cardiogenic shock (CS) and electric storm that required emergency mechanical circulatory support as a bridge to heart transplant.

Cobalt cardiomyopathy is a rare condition that has been observed in patients who develop cobalt toxicity after metal hip arthroplasty. The condition may improve after diagnosis and removal of the prosthesis or get worse and progress to end-stage heart failure or CS. The concern about the metal toxicity associated with metal hip prosthesis has increased in the last few years. Orthopaedic surgeons and cardiologists should be aware of this severe complication that is probably under diagnosed.