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Published on: February 26, 2013
Hyperthyroidism as a cause of atrial fibrillation in long-term care
M J Siebers1, P J Drinka, C Vergauwen
1University of Wisconsin Medical School, Section of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Madison 53706.
Background:
We measured sensitive thyrotropin-stimulating hormone (sTSH) in 50 consecutive nursing home patients (39 men) with atrial fibrillation to determine the frequency of hyperthyroidism.
Methods:
Patients were identified in a long-term care facility by an electrocardiogram demonstrating atrial fibrillation. The sensitive thyrotropin-stimulating hormone assay had a detection limit of less than or equal to 0.02 mU/L (normal range, 0.46 to 3.60 mU/L).
Results:
No subject had a suppressed sensitive thyrotropin-stimulating hormone.
Conclusions:
Hyperthyroidism is not a common cause of atrial fibrillation in male nursing home residents.
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