Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026

In Vivo Quantitative Assessment of Myocardial Structure, Function, Perfusion and Viability Using Cardiac Micro-computed Tomography
Published on: February 16, 2016
Left ventricular mass in patients with hyperthyroidism
Czesław Marcisz1, Gerard Jonderko, Tomasz Wróblewski
1Department of Internal Medicine in Tychy, School of Health Care, Silesian Medical University, Katowice, Poland.
Insights
Hyperthyroidism increases left ventricular mass (LVM) through eccentric remodeling, likely due to volume overload. This cardiac adaptation may not reverse even after achieving euthyroid state.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Hyperthyroidism is associated with complex mechanisms affecting left ventricular mass (LVM).
- Understanding the impact of hyperthyroidism and its treatment on LVM and hemodynamic workload is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of hyperthyroidism and thyreostatic therapy on LVM.
- To determine the interrelationship between LVM and hemodynamic workload factors in hyperthyroid patients.
Main Methods:
- Echocardiography was used to assess left ventricular parameters in 51 hyperthyroid patients and 30 controls.
- Measurements included LVM, stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), and blood pressure before and after thiamazole treatment.
Main Results:
- Hyperthyroid subjects exhibited increased LVM, thickened ventricular walls, elevated SV, CO, and heart rate (HR), with reduced total peripheral resistance (TPR).
- LVM positively correlated with SV, CO, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and body mass index (BMI).
- Treatment did not normalize LVM, which correlated with SBP, SV, and BMI (R=0.64, p<0.001).
Conclusions:
- Increased LVM in hyperthyroidism is likely due to eccentric remodeling from volume overload and may be irreversible.
- Elevated LVM appears to be an adaptive response to the increased hemodynamic workload in hyperthyroid patients.
Background:
The mechanisms of increased left ventricular mass (LVM) in hyperthyroidism are complex. The aim was to determine the effects of hyperthyroidism and thyreostatic therapy on LVM regarding its interrelationship with factors responsible for the heart's hemodynamic workload.
Material/Methods:
The study included 51 hyperthyroid subjects and 30 healthy controls. Left heart ventricle parameters evaluated using standard ultrasonocardiography were: left ventricular volume (end-systolic and end-diastolic), left ventricle posterior wall thickness at systole (LVPWs) and diastole (LVPWd) with the respective interventricular septal thicknesses (IVSs, IVSd), LVM, stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), output-pressure index (OPI), and total peripheral resistance (TPR). Systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure, heart rate (HR), and body mass index (BMI) were investigated. Measurements were repeated after two weeks of thiamazole treatment and after attaining euthyreosis.
Results:
Compared with controls, the hyperthyroid subjects had significant thickening of LVPWd, LVPWs, and IVSs, increased LVM, augmented SV, CO, OPI, SBP, and HR, but reduced TPR and DBP. Hyperthyroid treatment did not normalize LVM. LVM showed positive correlations with SV, CO, OPI, SBP, BMI, and serum triiodothyronine concentration and negative correlation with TPR. In multivariate regression analysis, LVM correlated with SBP, SV, and BMI (R=0.64, p<0.001).
Conclusions:
1) In hyperthyroid patients, LVM is increased, mainly due to its eccentric remodeling, probably caused by volume overload; the increased LVM does not seem to be reversible despite attainment of euthyreosis. 2) The increased LVM is probably related to the heart's hemodynamic workload and reflects adaptive changes.
Related Concept Videos
Hyperthyroidism I: Introduction
Hyperthyroidism II: Pathophysiology
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Graves' Disease I: Introduction
Graves Disease II: Pathophysiology
Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests
