Document Detail


Activation of electrical triggers of atrial fibrillation in hyperthyroidism.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  18349059     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
CONTEXT: A shortening of the atrial refractory period has been considered as the main mechanism for the increased risk of atrial fibrillation in hyperthyroidism. However, other important factors may be involved. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine the activity of abnormal supraventricular electrical depolarizations in response to elevated thyroid hormones in patients without structural heart disease. PATIENTS AND DESIGN: Twenty-eight patients (25 females, three males, mean age 43+/-11 yr) with newly diagnosed and untreated hyperthyroidism were enrolled in a prospective trial after exclusion of heart disease. Patients were followed up for 16 +/- 6 months and studied at baseline and 6 months after normalization of serum TSH levels. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The incidence of abnormal premature supraventricular depolarizations (SVPD) and the number of episodes of supraventricular tachycardia was defined as primary outcome measurements before the start of the study. In addition, heart rate oscillations (turbulence) after premature depolarizations and heart rate variability were compared at baseline and follow-up. RESULTS: SVPDs decreased from 59 +/- 29 to 21 +/- 8 per 24 h (P = 0.003), very early SVPDs (so called P on T) decreased from 36 +/- 24 to 3 +/- 1 per 24 h (P < 0.0001), respectively, and nonsustained supraventricular tachycardias decreased from 22 +/- 11 to 0.5 +/- 0.2 per 24 h (P = 0.01) after normalization of serum thyrotropin levels. The hyperthyroid phase was characterized by an increased heart rate (93 +/- 14 vs. 79 +/- 8 beats/min, P < 0.0001) and a decreased turbulence slope (3.6 vs. 9.2, P = 0.003), consistent with decreased vagal tone. This was confirmed by a significant decrease of heart rate variability. CONCLUSION: Hyperthyroidism is associated with an increased supraventricular ectopic activity in patients with normal hearts. The activation of these arrhythmogenic foci by elevated thyroid hormones may be an important causal link between hyperthyroidism and atrial fibrillation.
Authors:
K Wustmann; J P Kucera; A Zanchi; A Burow; T Stuber; B Chappuis; P Diem; E Delacrétaz
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Clinical Trial; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't     Date:  2008-03-18
Journal Detail:
Title:  The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism     Volume:  93     ISSN:  0021-972X     ISO Abbreviation:  J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.     Publication Date:  2008 Jun 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2008-06-09     Completed Date:  2008-07-17     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0375362     Medline TA:  J Clin Endocrinol Metab     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  2104-8     Citation Subset:  AIM; IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Swiss Cardiovascular Center Bern, University Hospital, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Action Potentials / physiology*
Adult
Antithyroid Agents / therapeutic use
Atrial Fibrillation / etiology*,  physiopathology
Carbimazole / therapeutic use
Echocardiography
Electric Stimulation
Female
Heart Rate / drug effects,  physiology
Humans
Hyperthyroidism / complications*,  drug therapy,  physiopathology
Male
Middle Aged
Propylthiouracil / therapeutic use
Tachycardia, Supraventricular / etiology
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Antithyroid Agents; 22232-54-8/Carbimazole; 51-52-5/Propylthiouracil

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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