The Heart in I131-Induced Myxedema

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
STUDIES of the cardiovascular system in spontaneous myxedema have demonstrated an increased size of the cardiac silhouette, diminished force of cardiac contraction, decreased cardiac output and velocity of blood flow, diminished plasma and total blood volumes and lowered voltage of the electrocardiogram.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 There is considerable difference of opinion regarding the clinical significance of these changes; in most cases, cardiac function remains adequate. The "myxedema heart" in the sense of a condition precipitating congestive heart failure, as described by Zondek2 and Fahr,8 occurs rarely.The early effects of hypothyroidism, induced by surgical total thyroidectomy, on the size of the heart and . . .