April - June 2009, Volume 5, Issue 2

Filipescu D, Calugareanu A, Luchian M, Marinica I, Ghenu O, Marin S, Moldovan H, Deleanu D

Fatal myocardial infarction secondary to thyrotoxicosis. Case report

Acta Endo (Buc) 2009, 5 (2): 275-281
doi: 10.4183/aeb.2009.275

Thyrotoxicosis crisis is a major emergency due to the brutal occurrence and\r\nexacerbation of untreated or inadequately treated hyperthyroidism. It has uncharacteristic\r\nsigns all of which require immediate treatment. Thyroid hormones may directly influence\r\nmyocardial oxygen supply and demand and cause a critical imbalance resulting in angina\r\npectoris and myocardial infarction. We present a case patient with a fatal myocardial\r\ninfarction (MI) secondary to thyrotoxicosis. The patient presented classical coronary risk\r\nfactors and unknown hyperthyroidism, which was taken into consideration as a possible\r\ncause of the acute coronary syndrome. Although he was under anti - ischemic agents and\r\ndespite normal coronary arteries he developed MI and cardiogenic shock and died due to\r\nthyroid storm aggravated by iodine contrast and catecholamine agents.

Keywords: thyrotoxicosis, myocardial infarction, normal coronary arteries

Correspondence: Filipescu Daniela MD, Cardiac Anesthesia and Intensive Care Department,\r\nInstitute of Cardiovascular Diseases "Prof. Dr. C. C. Iliescu" Bucharest, Romania Fundeni Street No.\r\n258, sector 2 Phone: +4021-3172472 Fax: +40213172472 E-mail: danielafilipescu@b.astral.ro