A Crisis of the Heart: An Acute Reversible Cardiomyopathy Bridged to Recovery in a Patient With Addison's Disease

Primary adrenal insufficiency or Addison's disease is a rare disorder often difficult to diagnose on presentation by the nature of its associated nonspecific symptoms, such as nausea or weakness. Cardiovascular complications of the condition are usually limited to hypovolemic hypotension; however, we highlight here a rare, dramatic case of a fulminant adrenal crisis in a young man primarily marked by acute biventricular systolic failure and cardiogenic shock. The patient was successfully treated with corticosteroid replacement and bridged with temporary mechanical circulatory support to eventual complete the recovery of native myocardial function.