title: Hyperthyroidism presenting as isolated tricuspid regurgitation and right heart failure.
abstract: Although hyperthyroidism has many signs and symptoms, right heart failure can occasionally be the main presenting symptom. We describe the case of a previously healthy 42-year-old woman whose chief complaint was progressive bilateral lower extremity edema. The echocardiogram revealed right atrial dilatation and moderate-to-severe tricuspid regurgitation. Results of laboratory studies were consistent with hyperthyroidism. Thyroid ablation resulted in permanent resolution of symptoms and resolution of tricuspid incompetence on echocardiography. In a case of isolated, unexplained tricuspid regurgitation, it is important to consider indolent hyperthyroidism in the differential diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: The Department of Internal Medicine, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, North Carolina 28203, USA.
authors.forename: Tanya E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Whitner
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Hudson
authors.forename: Timothy D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Laszlo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Littmann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D014262:Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*