Partially Reversible Cardiomyopathy after Renal Transplant Associated with Anti-Troponin I Antibodies

Cardiomyopathy associated with dialysis has been shown to be reversible in some cases. A 58-year-old female patient with polycystic renal disease and end-stage renal disease had a renal transplant after 9 years on hemodialysis. Dilated cardiomyopathy with depressed left ventricular ejection fraction markedly improved after transplantation, with normalization of the ejection fraction. High titers for anti-troponin I antibodies were measured: IgG 1:640, IgM 1:80. In our case, the presence of anticardiac (anti-troponin I) antibodies may suggest that the syndrome of reversible cardiomyopathy seen after renal transplantation is associated with immunosuppression therapy acting on immunological mechanisms previously at play.