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Updated: Aug 12, 2026

In vitro Assessment of Myocardial Protection following Hypothermia-Preconditioning in a Human Cardiac Myocytes Model
Published on: October 27, 2020
[Reversible myocardial ischemia in hypothyroidism: Case report]
I Quevedo1, L Mosso, J M Domínguez
1Departamentos de Endocrinología, Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Medicina Nuclear, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
Insights
Hypothyroidism can cause silent myocardial ischemia, a reversible heart condition. Thyroid hormone replacement therapy effectively restored normal heart function and exercise capacity in a hypothyroid patient.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Hypothyroidism is associated with cardiovascular complications.
- Silent myocardial ischemia in hypothyroid patients is a recognized but less common presentation.
Observation:
- A 49-year-old male presented with an abnormal exercise electrocardiogram.
- He had laboratory-confirmed hypothyroidism, asthenia, and voice changes.
- Thallium myocardial perfusion imaging revealed exercise-induced coronary flow alterations in the left ventricle.
Findings:
- Thyroid hormone substitution therapy was initiated.
- Coronary angiography performed three months post-treatment was normal.
- A six-month follow-up showed normal Thallium perfusion and exercise electrocardiogram results.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering thyroid dysfunction in patients with unexplained ischemic changes.
- Thyroid hormone replacement can reverse myocardial ischemia in hypothyroid individuals.
- Early detection and treatment of hypothyroidism can prevent potentially serious cardiac events.
Abstract:
A silent, reversible myocardial ischemia with normal coronary angiography and reversible with thyroid hormone substitution, has been recently described in hypothyroid patients. We report a 49 years old male with an abnormal exercise electrocardiogram detected in a preventive medical examination. He had laboratory evidence of hypothyroidism and a history of two years of asthenia and progressive coarsening of the voice. The Thallium myocardial perfusion study, showed an alteration of coronary flow during exercise in the septum and lower wall of the left ventricle. Thyroid hormone substitution was started and three months later, a coronary angiography was normal. After six months a repeated Thallium perfusion study and exercise electrocardiogram were informed as normal.
Related Concept Videos
Myocarditis I: Introduction
Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Myocarditis III: Medical Management
Hyperthyroidism I: Introduction
Hyperthyroidism II: Pathophysiology
Hypothyroidism II: Pathophysiology

