Management in Mitral Valve Replacement with Pulmonary Hypertension and Thyroid Storm: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: We reported a case of patient after mitral valve replacement (MVR) with pulmonary hypertension (PH) and thyroid storm that is rare, but life-threatening condition. Case Illustration: A 57-year-old-male with a subclinical hyperthyroidism underwent MVR due to severe mitral regurgitation (MR) and high possibility for PH. He showed atrial fibrillation with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). In the intensive care unit (ICU), four hours postoperatively, he developed thyroid storm with heart rate of 226 times/min, temperature 39oC, and thyroid function showed low TSH (<0.05 uIU/mL), high fT4 (25.4 pmol/L), and high T3 (3.3 nmol/L). He was administered with propranolol, propylthiouracil, hydrocortisone, and lugol. Discussion: Trauma of cardiac surgery might trigger thyroid storm in this patient. The post-operative period represented a high-risk time for PH patients, moreover with thyroid storm. Therapy for thyroid storm was multimodal, including anti-thyroid, beta blockers, iodine, and glucocorticoid. Hemodynamic goals were avoidance of elevation in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), avoidance of myocardial depressants and maintenance of systemic vascular resistance (SVR), myocardial contractility and preload. Conclusion: Thyroid storm and PH complicating MVR was rare, but life-threatening. Comprehensive management could decrease morbidity and mortality of thyroid storm. Keywords: mitral valve replacement surgery; pulmonary hypertension; thyroid storm