POLYMORPHIC VENTRICULAR-TACHYCARDIA IN A PATIENT WITH ADRENAL INSUFFICIENCY AND HYPOTHYROIDISM

We describe a 60-year-old patient with adrenal insufficiency and hypot hyroidism who experienced syncope as a result of polymorphic ventricul ar tachycardia associated with long QT intervals. The deep inverted T waves and long QT intervals were normalized about 8 weeks after starti ng steroid replacement therapy. Although there have been some reports on electrocardiographic abnormality or polymorphic ventricular tachyca rdia in patients with adrenal insufficiency, the pathogenesis remains unknown. Hormonal disorders should be considered as a cause of polymor phic ventricular tachycardia associated with long QT intervals, even i f plasma electrolyte levels are normal, because life-threatening arrhy thmia is treatable by supplementation of the hormone that is lacking.