A Combination of Tachycardia-Mediated Heart Failure and Coronary Artery Vasospasm-Induced Silent Myocardial Infarction in a Patient with Severe Thyrotoxicosis

Abstract

Severe thyrotoxicosis can present with a myriad of cardiovascular complications. It may be mild features such as palpitations, tachycardia, and exertional dyspnea or may progress to life-threatening consequences such as atrial fibrillation, tachyarrhythmias, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and shock. In rare cases, they may present with myocardial ischemia secondary to coronary artery vasospasm. We report a case of a 59-year-old Malay gentleman who presented with fast atrial fibrillation and tachycardia-mediated heart failure that evolved to a silent myocardial infarction secondary to severe coronary artery vasospasm with undiagnosed severe thyrotoxicosis. He had complete resolution of heart failure and no further recurrence of coronary artery vasospasm once treatment for thyrotoxicosis was initiated and euthyroidism achieved. This life-threatening consequence has an excellent prognosis if recognised early and treated promptly.