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When an ICD is Not the Answer… Hypothyroidism‐Induced Cardiomyopathy and Torsades de Pointes
Author(s) -
ELLIS CHRISTOPHER R.,
MURRAY KATHERINE T.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of cardiovascular electrophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.193
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1540-8167
pISSN - 1045-3873
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-8167.2008.01154.x
Subject(s) - medicine , torsades de pointes , cardiomyopathy , cardiology , long qt syndrome , qt interval , heart failure
An increasing number of patients with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction are referred for placement of an implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD).Case Report:A 78‐year‐old female with fatigue, palpitations, and presyncope was referred for consideration of an ICD because of a cardiomyopathy and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (VT). Her evaluation revealed severe hypothyroidism, marked QT prolongation, and episodes of torsades de pointes. With levothyroxine therapy, her ventricular arrhythmias rapidly abated, with subsequent normalization of LV function and the QT interval.Conclusions:This report highlights the critical importance of detecting hypothyroidism as an unusual cause for reversible cardiomyopathy and ventricular arrhythmias.