title: Pericardial effusion as an expression of thyrotoxicosis.
abstract: Patients who have either hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism can present with cardiovascular complications. These manifestations of thyroid disease-congestive heart failure, atrial tachyarrhythmias, atrioventricular conduction disorders, and mitral valve dysfunction-are well known to the clinician. Pericardial effusion is considered a complication of hypothyroidism; as an expression of thyrotoxicosis, it is extremely rare.Herein, we present the case of a 76-year-old woman who had pericardial effusion associated with thyrotoxicosis. She was treated with high-dose beta-blockers, methimazole, diuretics, and short-term steroids. She recovered completely, which precluded the need for pericardiocentesis. We suggest that thyrotoxicosis be considered in the differential diagnosis of pericardial effusion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine C, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Halochamim 4, Holon, Israel. kovadia@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Shmouel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ovadia
authors.forename: Lyudmila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lysyy
authors.forename: Tatiana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zubkov
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013956:Antithyroid Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005665:Furosemide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008713:Methimazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013971:Thyrotoxicosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D013956:Antithyroid Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D008713:Methimazole; D005665:Furosemide; D011241:Prednisone