Inflammation of the cardiac conduction system in a case of hyperthyroidism.
A 37-year-old female showed signs of hyperthyroidism 2 weeks before death after a partial thyroidectomy was carried out 15 years previously. An examination 3 days before death revealed a normal blood cell count, an increased level of thyroidal hormones, sinus tachycardia and a high blood pressure of 170/90 mm Hg. A hyperthyroidism was diagnosed and therapy with carbimazol (2 x 10 mg) was started but 2 days later fever and chill occurred and before death short phases of unconsciousness and dyspnoea. The autopsy findings showed an interstitial inflammation of the AV-node, the His-bundle and its branches which can correlate with typical ECG changes in hyperthyroidism.
Ortmann
C
C
Institut für Rechtsmedizin, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany.
Pfeiffer
H
H
Du Chesne
A
A
Brinkmann
B
B
D000328:Adult; D001283:Atrioventricular Node / Q000473:pathology; D002036:Bundle of His / Q000473:pathology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000473:pathology*; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000473:pathology*; D013616:Tachycardia, Sinus / Q000473:pathology; D013971:Thyrotoxicosis / Q000473:pathology*