CARDIOVASCULAR INVOLVEMENT IN HYPERTHYROIDISM

Introduction. Right ventricle was long time considered to be the „insignificant chamber“, while recent studies demonstrate that the right ventricle dilatation and sistolic dysfunction, is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. This finding might be explained by the effect of thyroid hormone on increasing the total blood volume, venous return and pulmonary capillary pressure, with the secondary consequence on increasing the right ventricle volume flow and intracavitary pressure. Because of the complexity of this chamber, the measurement of RV dimensions and systolic function is nowadays a challenge, best evaluated by cardiac magnetic resonance. But 2D echocardiography, we also used in our study, still remains the usual method, because is not expensive and accesible. Objective. The aim of this retrospective study, is to summarise the cardiovascular effects of hyperthyroidism, especially on the right ventricle. Hyperthyroid patients are represented by the low seric thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level group (