Hyperthyroidism as a cause of atrial fibrillation in long-term care.
BACKGROUND
We measured sensitive thyrotropin-stimulating hormone (sTSH) in 50 consecutive nursing home patients (39 men) with atrial fibrillation to determine the frequency of hyperthyroidism.


METHODS
Patients were identified in a long-term care facility by an electrocardiogram demonstrating atrial fibrillation. The sensitive thyrotropin-stimulating hormone assay had a detection limit of less than or equal to 0.02 mU/L (normal range, 0.46 to 3.60 mU/L).


RESULTS
No subject had a suppressed sensitive thyrotropin-stimulating hormone.


CONCLUSIONS
Hyperthyroidism is not a common cause of atrial fibrillation in male nursing home residents.
Siebers
M J
MJ
University of Wisconsin Medical School, Section of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Madison 53706.
Drinka
P J
PJ
Vergauwen
C
C
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D014922:Wisconsin / Q000453:epidemiology
D013972:Thyrotropin