Doctors discovered an unusual case of a 24-year-old man whose heart developed calcium deposits while receiving kidney dialysis treatment. These calcium buildups created abnormal patterns on his heart’s electrical test (ECG), which usually only happen after a heart attack. The patient had severe kidney disease that disrupted his body’s calcium and phosphorus balance for years. This case is important because it shows that calcium deposits in the heart muscle itself—not just in blood vessels—can cause the same electrical problems doctors normally see after heart attacks. The findings suggest doctors should check for heart calcification in dialysis patients with unusual heart electrical patterns.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether calcium deposits forming inside the heart muscle itself can cause the same abnormal heart electrical patterns (Q waves) that doctors see after heart attacks
  • Who participated: One 24-year-old man with severe kidney disease who had been receiving dialysis treatment three times per week for 8 years
  • Key finding: The patient had significant calcium deposits in his heart muscle that appeared to cause abnormal electrical patterns on his ECG, similar to what happens after a heart attack, even though he hadn’t had a heart attack
  • What it means for you: If you or someone you know receives long-term dialysis and has unusual heart electrical readings, doctors should consider checking for calcium deposits in the heart using imaging tests. This is a rare condition, but recognizing it matters for proper care.

The Research Details

This is a case report, which means doctors documented one patient’s medical story in detail. The 24-year-old man came to the hospital with arm swelling and had several tests done: an ECG (electrical heart test), an ultrasound of the heart, a CT scan of the chest, and blood tests. The doctors compared his test results to what they know about heart disease to figure out what was causing his symptoms. Case reports are like medical detective stories—they describe unusual situations that doctors haven’t seen before or that teach us something new about how diseases work.

This research approach matters because it identifies a rare condition that other doctors might miss. When one patient has something unusual, reporting it helps other doctors around the world recognize similar cases. This can prevent misdiagnosis and lead to better treatment. The detailed documentation of this case helps the medical community understand that kidney disease can affect the heart in ways we didn’t fully understand before.

As a case report of just one patient, this cannot prove that calcium deposits always cause these heart problems—it only shows that it happened in this one person. However, the doctors used multiple reliable tests (heart ultrasound, CT scan, blood work) to confirm their findings, which makes the documentation trustworthy. The patient’s medical history was well-documented, including his kidney disease and dialysis treatment. Readers should understand this is a single observation, not proof that this happens to all dialysis patients.

What the Results Show

The patient had calcium deposits measuring about 3-4 centimeters in his heart muscle, particularly at the tip of the heart and in the upper side wall. These deposits showed up clearly on both the heart ultrasound and CT scan. His heart was significantly enlarged and not pumping well—his heart’s pumping strength was only about 22% of normal. His ECG showed abnormal Q waves (electrical patterns) in four different areas of the heart, plus a complete left bundle branch block, which means the electrical signals weren’t traveling through the left side of his heart properly. Blood tests showed very high levels of heart stress markers, indicating his heart muscle was damaged or under severe stress.

The patient’s kidney function was severely impaired with a creatinine level of 827 (normal is under 120). His calcium-phosphorus metabolism was severely disrupted: low calcium, high phosphorus, very low vitamin D, and extremely high parathyroid hormone levels (2,000—normal is under 65). These mineral imbalances are typical in patients with advanced kidney disease and are known to cause calcium deposits in soft tissues. The patient’s heart was enlarged and had both systolic dysfunction (weak squeezing) and diastolic dysfunction (poor relaxation), suggesting the calcium deposits and other kidney-related factors were affecting overall heart function.

Abnormal Q waves on ECG are classically associated with heart attacks, where part of the heart muscle dies from lack of blood flow. This case is unusual because the Q waves appeared to be caused by calcium deposits creating mechanical compression and disrupting electrical signals, rather than from blocked blood vessels. Previous research has shown that kidney disease patients can develop calcium deposits in blood vessels and heart valves, but calcium deposits inside the heart muscle itself causing these specific electrical patterns is less well-documented. This case adds to growing evidence that kidney disease affects the heart in multiple ways beyond just high blood pressure.

This is a single case report, so we cannot determine how common this condition is or whether it happens the same way in other patients. We don’t know if the calcium deposits alone caused the Q waves or if other factors (like the enlarged heart or electrical conduction problems) also contributed. The patient was already very sick with multiple complications, making it difficult to isolate which problem caused which symptom. We also don’t have long-term follow-up data showing how the calcium deposits changed over time or how they affected the patient’s future health. Case reports cannot prove cause-and-effect relationships—they only suggest possibilities that need further study.

The Bottom Line

For dialysis patients: Work closely with your nephrologist (kidney doctor) and cardiologist to monitor your calcium and phosphorus levels, as these directly affect your heart health. If you develop unusual heart symptoms or your ECG shows new abnormal patterns, ask your doctor about imaging tests to check for heart calcification. For doctors: When dialysis patients present with abnormal Q waves on ECG, consider myocardial calcification as a possible cause alongside the usual suspects like heart attack. Check mineral metabolism markers and use imaging (CT or ultrasound) to evaluate. These recommendations are based on limited evidence (one case), so they should guide investigation rather than definitive treatment.

This finding is most relevant to people with advanced chronic kidney disease, especially those on long-term dialysis. It’s also important for cardiologists and nephrologists who care for these patients. People with normal kidney function have very low risk of this condition. If you have early-stage kidney disease, maintaining good control of your mineral metabolism may help prevent this complication. Family members of dialysis patients should be aware that heart complications can develop in ways that aren’t always obvious.

Calcium deposits in the heart develop slowly over years, typically in patients who have had kidney disease and mineral imbalances for many years (this patient had 8 years of dialysis). Symptoms may develop gradually or appear suddenly. Once calcium deposits form, they don’t disappear on their own. The key is prevention through early management of kidney disease and mineral metabolism. If deposits do form, the timeline for symptoms and complications varies by individual.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If you’re on dialysis, track your monthly lab results for calcium, phosphorus, and parathyroid hormone levels. Log any new heart symptoms (chest discomfort, shortness of breath, unusual fatigue, or swelling) and note when they occur relative to your dialysis sessions. Record your ECG results when available.
  • Work with your dialysis team to optimize your mineral metabolism management—this might include adjusting your dialysis prescription, taking phosphate binders with meals, managing vitamin D supplementation, and following dietary restrictions on phosphorus and potassium. Set reminders for regular cardiology check-ups and blood work. Report new symptoms immediately rather than waiting for scheduled appointments.
  • Establish a baseline by getting an ECG and heart imaging (ultrasound or CT) if you’ve been on dialysis for several years. Schedule regular ECGs (at least annually or when symptoms change) to catch new electrical abnormalities early. Monitor your mineral metabolism labs at each dialysis session. Keep a symptom diary noting any heart-related complaints. Share all results with both your kidney doctor and heart doctor so they can coordinate your care.

This case report describes one patient’s experience and cannot be applied to all people with kidney disease or those on dialysis. Myocardial calcification is a rare condition. If you have kidney disease, dialysis, or heart concerns, consult with your nephrologist and cardiologist for personalized medical advice. Do not use this information to self-diagnose or change your treatment without professional guidance. This article is educational and not a substitute for medical care. Always seek immediate medical attention for chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or other acute cardiac symptoms.