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1: J Am Coll Cardiol. 2007 Jun 19;49(24):2350-5. Epub 2007 Jun 4.
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Amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis: clinical course and predictors of outcome.

Conen D, Melly L, Kaufmann C, Bilz S, Ammann P, Schaer B, Sticherling C, Muller B, Osswald S.

Department of Cardiology, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine the clinical course and predictors of long-term outcome in patients with documented amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT). BACKGROUND: Amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis is a condition that is difficult to manage, in particular because of the long half-life of amiodarone. Data on optimal treatment for AIT are scarce. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review among patients with documented AIT at a tertiary care center. Baseline characteristics, treatment received, laboratory parameters, and events during follow-up were evaluated. The predefined composite end point consisted of the following AIT-associated complications: death, heart transplantation, hospitalization for heart failure, myocardial infarction, stroke, hospitalization for arrhythmia management, or hospitalization for treatment complications. RESULTS: Eighty-four patients were included in the present analysis; 27 patients received prednisone for AIT. There was no difference in time to normalization of free thyroxine between those receiving and those not receiving prednisone. Long-term follow-up showed high morbidity and mortality; 47 patients (56%) reached the primary end point. Patients receiving prednisone had a worse outcome than those not receiving prednisone (p = 0.003). Although patients received prednisone for 84 +/- 65 days, curves started to separate only 12 months after the initial diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with AIT have a high event rate during follow-up. Prednisone had no effect on time to normalization of thyroxine levels and was associated with an increased event rate. Importantly, AIT-related problems must be expected late, at a time when thyroid function is under control.

PMID: 17572251 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]