Fatal Cardiac Arrhythmia in an 18-year-old Female with Hemochromatosis

Hemochromatosis is a genetic metabolic disorder characterized by excessive iron absorption and elevation of serum iron levels that lead to abnormal deposition of iron in the heart, liver, pancreas, gonads, and other organs. An 18-year-old female was referred to Al-Nassiriah Heart Hospital due to palpitations, bronze skin, and multiple cardiac arrhythmias over a month. Her electrocardiography at admission was sinus rhythm with an incomplete right bundle branch block. Bedside echocardiography showed heart failure, midrange ejection fraction (45%), and a mildly dilated left ventricular chamber. Cardiac magnetic resonance showed normal left and right ventricles cardiac size chambers, increased interventricular septa thickness (12 mm), mild biatrial enlargement. She developed multiple cardiac arrhythmias (ventricular arrhythmia and atrial fibrillation) at the time of her admission; unfortunately, she passed away after developing an accelerated idioventricular rhythm.