T. Shiga et al., Amiodarone-induced thyroid dysfunction and ventricular tachyarrhythmias during long-term therapy in Japan, JPN CIRC J, 65(11), 2001, pp. 958-960
Citations number
15
Categorie Soggetti
Cardiovascular & Respiratory Systems","Cardiovascular & Hematology Research
In 232 Japanese patients receiving long-term amiodarone therapy for life-th
reatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism
developed in 29 patients (12.5%) and 25 patients (10.8%), respectively. In
patients with hyperthyroidism. the recurrence of sustained ventricular tach
ycardia was significantly higher with thyrotoxicosis than in the euthyroid
period (31% vs 3%, p<0.01). Holter monitoring showed that the average heart
rate and ventricular premature complexes significantly increased with hype
rthyroidism. On the other hand, there was no increase in the recurrence of
ventricular tachyarrhythmia with hypothyroidism. There was no change in the
dose or the plasma concentration of amiodarone or desethylamiodarone in th
e euthyroid period or when hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism manifested. It
is important to monitor for arrhythmia when hyperthyroidism develops durin
g amiodarone therapy.