Torsades des pointes and pericardial effusion as cardiovascular risks in patients with hypothiroidism

Abstract

Dear Editor, it is our pleasure to address you to show our interest in one of your original articles entitled "Hypothyroidism and Acute Coronary Syndrome" which has served as a guide to highlight the importance of reporting the relationship between Torsades des Pointes (TdP) and pericardial effusion (PE) as cardiovascular complications in hypothyroid patients in future studies of the institution. TdP is a rare but lethal ventricular tachycardia which is related to long QT syndrome; this QT can often exceed 500 ms, and TdP is characterized by changing QRS complexes that appear to twist. PE is a relatively frequent finding which usually does not cause hemodynamic compromise and is rarely complicated by cardiac tamponade and severe hemodynamic instability. Both clinical
manifestations can be resolved with thyroid hormone replacement. In conclusion, this letter aims to encourage research on these two rare manifestations, but if present in the hypothyroid patient they carry a high cardiovascular risk.