Hyperthyroidism and pulmonary hypertension.
OBJECTIVE
To identify patients with hyperthyroidism and coincidental pulmonary hypertension and to document reversibility of pulmonary hypertension after treatment of hyperthyroidism.


METHODS
Patients with hyperthyroidism referred for transthoracal echocardiography for any reason that showed elevated pulmonary arterial pressures were collected. After therapy for the thyreotoxic state with documented normalization of thyroid hormone (IT4), pulmonary arterial pressure was measured again noninvasively.


METHODS
An out-patient tertiary referral centre.


METHODS
The medical records were used to identify, retrospectively, patients with hyperthyroidism and pulmonary hypertension over a three-year period (April 1993 to April 1996).


METHODS
Systolic pulmonary artery pressure (PAPs) was determined by adding up right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and mean right atrial pressure (RAP) measured by continuous-wave Doppler echocardiography according to standard techniques. All patients were treated for hyperthyroidism to normal IT4 levels. After successful therapy. Doppler echocardiography was repeated.


RESULTS
Four patients with pulmonary hypertension showing elevated PAPs of 40 +/- 11 mmHg were identified. After therapy. PAPs decreased in all patients to a mean of 25 +/- 6 mmHg.


CONCLUSIONS
The observation of four patients with pulmonary hypertension and hyperthyroidism is striking and suggests a possible pathogenetic link of these disorders.
Thurnheer
R
R
Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Zürich, Switzerland.
Jenni
R
R
Russi
E W
EW
Greminger
P
P
Speich
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood
D013963:Thyroid Hormones