Moustafa Elsheshtawy
Coney Island Hospital, USA
Title: Hypothyroidism and Congenital long QT: Additive effect causing torsades?
Biography
Biography: Moustafa Elsheshtawy
Abstract
Hypothyroidism can result in a myriad of cardiovascular effects. We present a rare instance of a young female patient with torsades de pointes (TdP), a fatal ventricular tachyarrhythmia, potentiated by hypothyroidism superimposing a congenital long QT syndrome. Although hypothyroidism has been linked to torsades de pointes in few case reports, none of the reported patients have been tested for congenital long QT syndrome. Reversing cardiovascular risk has been documented when patients regained their euthyroid state after levothyroxine replacement therapy. Patients should be given stress dose glucocorticoids while levothyroxine dose increases gradually to avoid precipitating acute coronary syndrome especially in patients with underlying coronary artery disease. Clinicians should be aware of life-threatening complications of hypothyroidism. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can lead to absolute recovery and a favorable long-term prognosis.