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Published on: February 17, 2018
Graves' thyrotoxicosis-induced reversible cardiomyopathy: a case report
Ahmad S Al-Ghamdi1, Naji Aljohani
1Specialized Diabetes and Endocrine Center, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Graves
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder causing hyperthyroidism.
- Thyrotoxicosis, a state of excess thyroid hormone, can have significant cardiovascular effects.
Observation:
- A 26-year-old woman presented with severe congestive heart failure.
- Echocardiography revealed dilated cardiomyopathy with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 20%.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy secondary to Graves' thyrotoxicosis.
- Treatment with anti-thyroid agents resulted in rapid clinical improvement and ejection fraction normalization.
Implications:
- Graves' thyrotoxicosis can induce reversible cardiomyopathy, even in young individuals.
- Cardiomyopathy should be considered in the differential diagnosis of heart failure in patients with Graves' disease.
Abstract:
The objective of this report is to present a case of Graves' thyrotoxicosis-induced cardiomyopathy. This is a case of a 26 year old woman that presented with severe symptomatic congestive heart failure and was subsequently diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy secondary to Graves' disease. Despite an initial left ventricular systolic ejection fraction of 20% on echocardiography, treatment with anti-thyroid agents led to rapid improvement of her clinical status and normalization of her ejection fraction. The proposed mechanisms underlying the development of systolic dysfunction in thyrotoxicosis are discussed and the literature on similar cases previously reported is highlighted. Cardiomyopathy should be considered even in young patients with Graves' thyrotoxicosis.
Related Concept Videos
Graves' Disease I: Introduction
Graves Disease II: Pathophysiology
Hyperthyroidism I: Introduction
Hyperthyroidism II: Pathophysiology
Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
