Hyperthyroidism-induced dilated cardiomyopathy

Phumpattra Chariyawong MD, Angela Rao BA, Deepa Panikkath MD, Ragesh Panikkath MD

ABSTRACT

Hyperthyroidism is a common endocrine disorder with a prevalence of 1.3% in the general population, affecting more women than men. Prolonged hyperthyroidism without appropriate management may lead to high output cardiac failure characterized by increases in heart rate, cardiac contractility, and cardiac output and by reductions in peripheral systemic vascular resistance. Dilated cardiomyopathy with impaired systolic function is rare and occurs in less than 1% of patients with thyrotoxicosis. The exact mechanism of hyperthyroidism-induced dilated cardiomyopathy is not well established. The combination of direct toxic effects of excess thyroid hormone along with prolonged tachycardia, arrhythmia, and a hyperdynamic state could be contributing factors. We present a case of a young woman with prolonged sinus tachycardia due to a long history of medication non-compliance who developed dilated cardiomyopathy with low output heart failure. Early detection and management of hyperthyroidism are crucial to restore cardiac function.

Keywords: hyperthyroidism, dilated cardiomyopathy, impaired ventricular systolic function

Article citation: Chariyawong P, Rao A, Panikkath D, Panikkath R. Hyperthyroidism-induced dilated cardiomyopathy. The Southwest Respiratory and Critical Care Chronicles 2019;7(27):64–66
From: The Department of Internal Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, Texas
Submitted: 10/26/2018
Accepted: 11/12/2018
Reviewer: Nandini Nair MD
Conflicts of interest: none
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