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[Effect of subclinical hypothyroidism treatment on selected cardiovascular parameters]
Insights
Subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) treatment with L-thyroxine normalized cardiac irregularities in some patients. This normalization improved systolic and diastolic functions and reduced arrhythmias, positively impacting cardiovascular health.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
Context:
- Subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) impact on cardiovascular health is unclear.
- Treatment indications for SH remain debated.
Purpose:
- To analyze L-thyroxine therapy effects on cardiac irregularities in SH patients.
- To evaluate normalization of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) on cardiac parameters.
Summary:
- 25 SH patients and 25 controls underwent physical, ECG, and echocardiographic exams.
- SH patients showed more irregularities, particularly in resting ECG and echocardiography.
- Six-month L-thyroxine treatment normalized TSH, improving cardiac function and reducing arrhythmias.
Impact:
- TSH normalization positively affects cardiac parameters in some SH patients.
- Treatment improved left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions.
- Reduced arrhythmias and a correlation between TSH levels and arrhythmia frequency were observed.
Unlabelled:
The impact of subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) on the cardiovascular system has not been well determined. Due to contradictory views on clinical consequences of SH there is no clear opinion on the indications for treatment of this disorder. The aim of study was to analyse the L-thyroxin therapy effect on normalization of cardiac irregularities in patients with SH observed in physical, electrocardiographic (at rest and 24-hour) and echocardiographic examinations.
Materials And Methods:
25 patients with SH and 25 in euthyreosis --C were included in the study, mean age +/- SD: SH- 43 +/- 17.4; C--51 +/- 17.2; NS. The frequency of irregularities in the physical, echocardiographic, electrocardiographic (at rest and 24-hour) examinations in both examined groups were compared. The effectiveness of a six-month treatment of SH as well as the impact of normalization of the TSH on results of the above tests were also analyzed.
Results:
It was observed that SH does not significantly affect results of the physical examination. However, normalization of the TSH decreased differences between the SH and C groups with regard to the frequency of irregularities in rest electrocardiographic examination (SH: 60% vs. C: 24%, p < 0.01). It also reduced the total number of irregularities observed in echocardiographic examination (p < 0.01). The changes included mainly an improvement of systolic and diastolic functions of the left ventricle. Moreover, less intensive supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmia in 24-hour electrocardiographic examination in some patients as well as an average positive correlation (R = 0.420, p < 0.05) between the number of irregularities in this examination and the TSH level were also observed.
Conclusions:
Normalization of the TSH level after a six-month treatment period contributes to positive changes with regard to essential cardiac parameters in some patients.
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