Fatal Cobalt Cardiomyopathy Following Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty – A Brief Report with Review of Literature

Abstract

Ceramic bearing surfaces are being increasingly used in young patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty. However,<br />failures have been reported including fractures even with the newer third generation ceramics. The recommended<br />treatment for fracture of ceramic bearing surfaces is complete synovectomy and revision total hip arthroplasty.<br />However, disappointing results have also been reported with this approach. The residual ceramic particles may lead<br />to complications. We report a fatal case of cobalt toxicity leading to cardiomyopathy secondary to the catastrophic<br />failure of a Cobalt-Chrome femoral head, which followed the revision of a fractured ceramic-on-ceramic total hip<br />arthroplasty.<br />Level of evidence: IV