title: Hyperthyroid heart disease.
abstract: The importance of cardiovascular system involvement in hyperthyroidism has been recognized for many years. In the middle-aged and elderly patient, often with mild but prolonged elevation of plasma thyroid hormones, symptoms and signs of heart failure and complicating atrial fibrillation may dominate the clinical picture and mask the more classical endocrine manifestations of the disease. Pitfalls in diagnosis and the importance of early recognition and treatment are discussed. Despite experimental evidence for a short-term inotropic action of thyroid hormone excess, clinical data support the existence of a reversible cardiomyopathy in hyperthyroidism with impaired contractile reserve. Enhanced myocardial performance at rest primarily reflects the peripheral actions of thyroid hormone excess. Most, if not all, of the cardiac abnormalities return to normal once a euthyroid state has been achieved, although atrial fibrillation may persist in a minority. Optimum treatment requires rapid and definitive antithyroid therapy, usually using a large dose of radio-iodine, and rapid control of heart failure. Systemic anticoagulation is indicated in the presence of atrial fibrillation and should be continued until sinus rhythm has been present for at least three months, either spontaneously or after cardioversion.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Forfar
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Caldwell
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000209:etiology; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000209:etiology; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000209:etiology; D004077:Digoxin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000150:complications*; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000209:etiology; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D004077:Digoxin