Hyperthyroidism presenting as isolated tricuspid regurgitation and right heart failure

Although hyperthyroidism has many signs and symptoms, right heart failure can occasionally be the main presenting symptom. We describe the case of a previously healthy 42-year-old woman whose chief complaint was progressive bilateral lower extremity edema. The echocardiogram revealed right atrial di...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Texas Heart Institute journal 2005, Vol.32 (2), p.244-245
Main Authors: Whitner, Tanya E, Hudson, Christopher J, Smith, Timothy D, Littmann, Laszlo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Brief Communication
Echocardiography
Female
Heart Failure - diagnostic imaging
Heart Failure - etiology
Humans
Hyperthyroidism - complications
Hyperthyroidism - diagnosis
Thyroid Function Tests
Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency - diagnostic imaging
Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency - etiology
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Although hyperthyroidism has many signs and symptoms, right heart failure can occasionally be the main presenting symptom. We describe the case of a previously healthy 42-year-old woman whose chief complaint was progressive bilateral lower extremity edema. The echocardiogram revealed right atrial dilatation and moderate-to-severe tricuspid regurgitation. Results of laboratory studies were consistent with hyperthyroidism. Thyroid ablation resulted in permanent resolution of symptoms and resolution of tricuspid incompetence on echocardiography. In a case of isolated, unexplained tricuspid regurgitation, it is important to consider indolent hyperthyroidism in the differential diagnosis.
ISSN:0730-2347