Abstract
Introduction: Thyrotoxic crisis is a serious complication that can precipitate hemodynamic instability and arrhythmic storm in patients with structural heart disease. Amiodarone, a commonly used antiarrhythmic, is a recognized trigger of thyrotoxicosis, which complicates management in patients with advanced heart failure. We describe the case of a 52-year-old man with dilated cardiomyopathy and a defibrillator with cardiac resynchronization therapy. He developed amiodarone-induced thyrotoxic crisis in the context of refractory arrhythmic storm. He was given intensive treatment with beta-blockers, hormone synthesis inhibitors, and stepped antiarrhythmic management, which achieved hemodynamic stabilization.
Conclusions: This case highlights the importance of early diagnosis of amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis and the need for a multidisciplinary approach to improve clinical stability and prognosis, especially in patients with advanced heart failure.
References
Waqar Z, Avula S, Shah J, Ali SS. Cardiovascular events in patients with thyroid storm. J Endocr Soc. 2021;5(6):1-8. doi:10.1210/jendso/bvab040
Schubert L, Bricaire L, Groussin L. Amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis. Ann Endocrinol. 2021 Jun;82(3-4):163-166. http://dx.doi:10.1016/j.ando.2020.04.009.
Shang W, Ma QB. Malignant Arrhythmias as the Unmasked Manifestation of Thyroid Storm. Int J Gen Med. 2020 Sep 24;13:693-698. http://dx.doi:10.2147/IJGM.S265833.
Anjo D, Maia J, Carvalho AC et al. Thyroid storm and arrhythmic storm: a potentially fatal combination. Am J Emerg Med. 2013 Sep;31(9):1418.e3-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2013.04.026.
Hamilton D, Nandkeolyar S, Lan H et al. Amiodarone: A Comprehensive Guide for Clinicians. Am J Cardiovasc Drugs. 2020 Dec;20(6):549-58. http://dx.doi:10.1007/s40256-020-00401-5.
Correa Guerrero J, Corrales Santander H, Yepes Caro J, Bello Simanca JD, Rodríguez Arrieta L, Castellanos Pinedo A, et al. Tormenta tiroidea: abordaje diagnóstico y terapéutico. Acta Colomb Cuid Intensivo 2024; 34(4): 245-254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acci.2024.10.010
Bartalena L, Bogazzi F, Martino E. Management of amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis. Ther Adv Endocrinol Metab
; 3(2): 47-58. https://doi.org/10.1177/2042018812437555

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2025 JESSICA GIMÉNEZ LECINA, MIRIAM ROYO ÁLVAREZ, LAURA VENTURA PRADO, EVA SAMPEDRO CALAVIA, MARIA PILAR GARCÍA MANGAS, ANA ESTEBAN MOLINA
