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[Dilated cardiomyopathy associated with autoimmune disease of thyroid gland]

Natasa S Marković1, Snezana Djurica, Milan Brajović

  • 1Centre for Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Hospital Centre, Zvezdara, Belgrade. natmarkovic@yahoo.com

Srpski Arhiv Za Celokupno Lekarstvo
|January 13, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Thyroid autoimmunity and low T3 syndrome are common in dilated cardiomyopathy patients, impacting ejection fraction and prognosis. Thyroid hormone treatment improved outcomes in patients with low-T3 syndrome.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Internal Medicine

Context:

  • Congestive heart failure (CHF) significantly contributes to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, with over a million annual hospitalizations.
  • Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a primary cause of CHF, involves impaired ventricular function and reduced ejection fraction (<40%).
  • Thyroid dysfunction is frequently observed in DCM patients, with prevalence ranging from 18% to 49%.

Purpose:

  • To investigate the prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity and "euthyroid sick syndrome" in dilated cardiomyopathy patients.
  • To assess the impact of these thyroid conditions on cardiac function and patient prognosis.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of thyroid hormone administration in DCM patients with low-T3 syndrome.

Summary:

  • A significant percentage (29.4%) of DCM patients exhibited thyroid autoimmunity, indicated by antithyroglobulin and antimicrosomal antibodies.
  • These patients with co-existing thyroid autoimmunity demonstrated lower ejection fraction and a poorer prognosis.
  • Low T3 levels, characteristic of "euthyroid sick syndrome," were common in advanced DCM.

Impact:

  • The findings underscore the importance of evaluating thyroid function, including antibodies and hormone ratios (T3, T4), in DCM patients.
  • Early detection of thyroid autoimmunity and "euthyroid sick syndrome" can refine prognostic assessments.
  • Short-term thyroid hormone therapy in DCM patients with low-T3 syndrome led to improved ejection fraction, symptom reduction, and enhanced survival.

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