Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Thyroid hormones have an impact on the function and structure of the cardiac muscle.

Aim: Investigate the prevalence and risk factors of structural and functional cardiac complications in patients with hyperthyroidism.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on 30 patients with uncontrolled hyperthyroidism. Clinical, biological and therapeutic data were collected. A trans-thoracic echocardiography (TTE) and lung ultrasound has been performed to all patients.

Results: Eight patients presented with left heart failure (HF) signs/symptoms, two presented with right HF signs/symptoms. TTE was abnormal in 12 patients (40%) (Table); all of whom presented pulmonary hypertension (PH). Echocardigraphic signs of HF were present in eight patients: seven patients met the definition of HF with preserved ejection fraction and one had HF with reduced ejection fraction. Clinical signs/symptoms of HF, lower TSH levels, elevated LVFP and a higher E/E′ were associated to PH, P=0.013, P=0.004, P=0.003, P=0.002. HF and PH were associated to the presence of tachycardia in the 24-h Rhythmic Holter monitoringP=0.039, P=0.011, they were also associated to a higher number of premature atrial contractionP=0.007, P=0.007.

Conclusion: Hyperthyroidism can modify the cardiovascular hemodynamic leading to congestive heart failure and pulmonary hypertension.