Myocardial Injury Induced by the Long Acting Beta2 Adrenergic Agonist Clenbuterol

Abstract

A previously healthy 33 year-old male was admitted to the Emergency department (ED) with two days of dyspnea upon exertion, orthopnea and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. Past medical history revealed that the patient had been body building using resistance training for the past three months. Two days prior to presentation to the ED he took three pills of Clenbuterol 40 mcg to enhance his athletic performance. The patient denied using tobacco, or consuming steroids or any other medications including illicit drugs or prior use of clenbuterol. He did not have a history of cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, hypercholesterolemia or diabetes mellitus, and did not have a family history of cardiovascular disease.