Amiodarone-Induced Thyroid Storm Causing Sustained Monomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia Treated With Plasmapheresis: A Challenging Clinical Case

Abstract

Thyroid storm is a rare endocrine emergency with a high mortality rate approaching 20%. It manifests with the exaggerated symptoms of hyperthyroidism including hyperpyrexia, hypotension, cardiac arrhythmias, and death. The mainstay of treatment includes supportive intensive care and initiation of thionamides, β blockers, corticosteroids, and if necessary anti-arrhythmics in the presence of refractory ventricular arrhythmias. We describe a case of amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis and thyroid storm leading to refractory ventricular tachycardias treated with plasmapheresis when anti-arrhythmic therapy became contraindicated. Amiodarone-induced thyroid storm can lead to monomorphic ventricular tachycardia. Under the circumstances of limited medical therapies, plasmapheresis can be an effective treatment option.




J Med Cases. 2020;11(3):79-81
doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jmc3450