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Cardiac function at rest in hypothyroidism evaluated by equilibrium radionuclide angiography
E T Tielens1, M Pillay, C Storm
1Department of Internal Medicine, Zuiderziekenhuis Rotterdam, The Netherlands. tielens@igrnl
Clinical Endocrinology
|September 1, 1999
Summary
Hypothyroidism impacts cardiac function, particularly diastolic function, even without clinical signs. Thyroid hormone deficiency prolongs systolic and early diastolic time characteristics in the heart.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Nuclear Medicine
Background:
- Previous studies suggest hypothyroidism affects both systolic and diastolic cardiac function.
- Thyroid hormone deficiency can lead to significant cardiovascular changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate cardiac function at rest in primary hypothyroidism using equilibrium radionuclide angiography.
- To investigate the impact of hypothyroidism on myocardial performance.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 26 untreated hypothyroid patients and 20 healthy controls.
- Cardiac function assessed via equilibrium radionuclide angiography.
- Screening echocardiography and Doppler examinations performed.
Main Results:
- Hypothyroid patients showed prolonged time to peak emptying rate and time to peak filling rate compared to controls.
- A trend towards decreased diastolic function (peak filling rate) was observed in hypothyroid patients.
- Lower free thyroxine levels correlated with prolonged systolic and diastolic time characteristics and decreased peak filling rate.
Conclusions:
- Primary hypothyroidism causes measurable changes in myocardial performance at rest, even without clinical or echocardiographic cardiac disease.
- The primary effect of thyroid hormone deficiency on the heart involves prolonged systolic and early diastolic time characteristics.
- Diastolic cardiac function is more significantly influenced by hypothyroidism than systolic function.