Cardiovascular abnormalities in hyperthyroidism: a prospective Doppler echocardiographic study.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the prevalence and clinical importance of cardiovascular abnormalities in patients with hyperthyroidism.


METHODS
All consecutive patients diagnosed with hyperthyroidism during a period of 24 months were included in the study. Medical history, complete physical examination results, electrocardiographic findings, laboratory determinations, and Doppler echocardiographic findings were obtained for all patients within 24 hours of diagnosis, and after euthyroidism had been achieved. Age- and sex-matched controls also were studied.


RESULTS
Thirty-nine patients (mean [+/-SD] age, 52 +/- 20 years; range, 25 to 86 years; 72% women), and 39 age- and sex-matched controls, were included. Atrial fibrillation was present in 7 patients (18%). Moderate or severe mitral or tricuspid regurgitation, or both, were present in 9 patients (23%) and in only 1 control (3%; P= 0.01). Mean pulmonary arterial systolic pressure was 38 +/- 12 mm Hg (range, 17 to 64 mm Hg) in patients and 27 +/- 4 mm Hg (range, 19 to 37 mm Hg) in controls (P= 0.001). Sixteen patients (41%) and 1 control (3%) had pulmonary arterial systolic pressure >or=35 mm Hg. Left ventricular systolic dysfunction was detected in 1 patient. After correction of hyperthyroidism, a significant decrease in pulmonary arterial systolic pressure was observed, and the levels became similar to those of controls.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with hyperthyroidism, there is a high prevalence of pulmonary hypertension and atrioventricular valve regurgitation. These abnormalities usually correct after treatment for hyperthyroidism.
Mercé
Jordi
J
Cardiology Service, Hospital Universitari de Tarragona Joan XXIII, Tarragona, Spain. jmerce@eresmas.com
Ferrás
Sara
S
Oltra
Carmina
C
Sanz
Esther
E
Vendrell
Joan
J
Simón
Immaculada
I
Camprubí
Mercè
M
Bardají
Alfredo
A
Ridao
Cristóbal
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000209:etiology; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies