Hyperthyroidism-related cardiomyopathy complicated by acute heart failure and shock is a life-threatening condition. Due to the co-occurrence of systemic congestion, left ventricular systolic dysfunction, and reduced systemic vascular resistance, clinical management remains a major challenge in the intensive care unit. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provides temporary support in patients with refractory heart failure and cardiogenic shock. We describe two patients with severe hyperthyroidism-related cardiomyopathy. The first patient, a 33-year-old Chinese male, was newly diagnosed to have hyperthyroidism, presenting with thyroid storm and multi-organ failure. The second patient, a 35-year-old Chinese female, had relapsed Graves’ disease complicated with hyperthyroidism-related cardiomyopathy and atrial fibrillation. Both patients developed acute heart failure and circulatory collapse, necessitating invasive hemodynamic support. They were hemodynamically supported with veno-arterial mode extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) and mechanical ventilation, which were successfully weaned off after 4 days. Subsequent echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance revealed normalization of the left ventricular ejection function. Hyperthyroidism-related cardiomyopathy with circulatory collapse is often a fatal condition. Given its highly reversible nature, more aggressive initial mechanical circulatory support in the form of VA-ECMO is warranted.
Keywords: Hyperthyroidism; Cardiomyopathy; Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Introduction
Hyperthyroidism is a common metabolic disorder with prominent cardiovascular manifestations. In a non-selected cohort of hyperthyroid patients we have previously reported that while 5.8% of patients developed symptoms of congestive heart failure, less than half of these (2.7%) had dilated cardiomyopathy with left ventricular systolic dysfunction [1]. Although it is generally accepted that hyperthyroidism-related cardiomyopathy is reversible following achievement of a euthyroid state, a minority of patients in the course of hyperthyroidism may develop fatal circulatory collapse in addition to congestive heart failure. Due to the co-occurrence of systemic congestion, left ventricular systolic dysfunction, reduced systemic vascular resistance, and cardiac tachyarrhythmia, acute hemodynamic management remains a major challenge in the intensive care unit. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been widely used to mechanically support the heart and lungs in patients with severe heart failure to recovery or to transplantation. This report documents two cases of near-fatal hyperthyroidism-related cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure and circulatory collapse successfully managed with veno-arterial (V-A) mode ECMO.
Case Report
Case 1
A 33-year-old Chinese male enjoying good health was admitted to a local hospital with a one week history of progressive shortness of breath and palpitations. A few months earlier he had noted heat intolerance, weight loss, and diarrhea. On admission, his temperature was 39.2 ºC; blood pressure was 90/48 mmHg with irregular pulse at rate 170 beats per minute; respiratory rate was 32 breaths per minutes. Physical examination revealed an elevated jugular venous pressure, bilateral ankle edema, and bilateral basal crackles over his chest. There were no murmurs detected. Chest X-ray showed cardiomegaly and acute pulmonary edema. Electrocardiogram (ECG) showed fast atrial fibrillation (AF) of 170 beats per minute with no acute ischemic changes. Clinically, he was in acute congestive heart failure and cardiogenic shock. He was intubated, commenced on inotropic support with dopamine and dobutamine, and transferred to the intensive care unit.
His condition continued to deteriorate with profound cardiogenic shock and systolic blood pressure < 70 mmHg despite inotropic support. Laboratory investigations revealed evidence of multi-organ failure including acute liver failure, acute renal failure and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. Specifically, there were elevated levels of transaminases (alanine transaminase > 3,000 units/L (normal range 42 - 110 units/L) and aspartate transaminase > 3,000 units/L (normal range: 15 - 38 units/L)), an elevated total bilirubin of 108 μmol/L (normal range: 4 - 23 μmol/L), and a prolonged prothrombin time of 46 seconds (normal range: 11.3 - 13.5 seconds). In addition, serum creatinine level rose to 361 μmol/L (normal range: 67 - 109 μmol/L) with serum urea level of 14.8 (normal range: 3.2 - 8.0 mmol/L). Ultrasonography of the abdomen did not reveal any hepatic or renal pathology. Transthoracic echocardiogram showed grossly dilated left and right ventricles with severely impaired left ventricular systolic function and ejection fraction of 10%. There were no significant valvular lesions. Because of the hemodynamic collapse, he was put on VA-ECMO. On the second admission day, a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism was confirmed with an elevated level of free thyroxine (T4) of 55 pmol/L (normal range: 12 - 22 pmol/L) and a suppressed thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). The Burch-Wartofsky score was 100, highly suggestive of thyroid storm. He was thus treated with propranolol, propylthiouracil, Lugol’s iodine and intravenous hydrocortisone. His hemodynamics gradually stabilized and he was successfully weaned off VA-ECMO 4 days later with subsequent improvement in liver and kidney biochemistry. The free T4 level was normalized at 1 week. At 2 weeks, heart failure was clinically resolved and spontaneous sinus conversion was noted. He was prescribed carvedilol and perindopril for left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging 3 weeks after discharge from the intensive care unit revealed only mild residual left ventricular systolic dysfunction with LVEF of 51% and dilated left ventricle with end-diastolic volume. There was no evidence of myocardial ischemia or scar.
Case 2
A 35-year-old Chinese female was admitted to the emergency department with a 1 week history of progressive shortness of breath on exertion and bilateral ankle swelling. She complained also of nausea and diarrhea on the day of admission but had no fever, chest pain, or palpitations. Her history was significant for Graves’ disease diagnosed 7 years ago, treated with an 18-month course of anti-thyroid drug. Physical examination confirmed tachypnea with a respiratory rate of 25 breaths per minute. Blood pressure was 155/83 and pulse rate was fast and irregular. Bilateral pitting ankle edema, raised jugular venous pressure and basal crackles over both lung fields were also noted. There was a moderate goiter with thyroid bruit. Chest X-ray revealed cardiomegaly and pulmonary edema. ECG showed fast atrial fibrillation (166/min) with no ischemic change. Laboratory evaluation revealed normal creatinine kinase and troponin I level but free thyroxine T4 was elevated (44 pmol/L) with a TSH. Transthoracic echocardiogram revealed grossly dilated left and right ventricles with LVEF of 17%. The Burch-Wartofsky score was 65 suggesting a high possibility of thyroid storm; oral propranolol, propylthiouracil, Lugol’s iodine and intravenous hydrocortisone were started. As she remained in fast atrial fibrillation with ventricular rate > 150 beats per minute and with oxygen desaturation requiring 100% oxygen supplement, digoxin and diltiazem for ventricular rate control, and frusemide for congestion were given. Eight hours later she developed profound cardiogenic shock with blood pressure 75/53 mmHg and type II respiratory failure. Intubation with mechanical ventilation supported with VA-ECMO was initiated and her condition was stabilized. VA-ECMO was removed 4 days later with normalization of the serum free T4 level. She was clinically out of heart failure with spontaneous sinus conversion. In view of the impaired left ventricular function, ramipril was commenced. Propylthiouracil was gradually tapered as radioactive iodine treatment was planned as definitive management of her Graves’ disease. Two months later, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed partial recovery of LVEF to 52% with no evidence of myocardial ischemia or fibrosis.