A COHORT STUDY OF THE INCIDENCE OF LEFT VENTRICULAR DIASTOLIC DYSFUNCTION IN PATIENTS AFFECTED WITH SUBCLINICAL HYPOTHYROIDISM.

Abstract

Background:
Numerous studies have identified the presence of adverse cardiovascular effects associated with hypothyroidism. The timely detection of individuals presenting with sub-clinical hypothyroidism yields a beneficial impact on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality rates.
Objectives: The primary aim of this study is to investigate the potential correlation between subclinical hypothyroidism and left ventricular dysfunction. Additionally, we aim to explore the relationship between systolic and diastolic dysfunction in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism.
Materials and Methods:
In this study, a total of 60 cases of subclinical hypothyroidism, as well as 30 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects, were included. Serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4), and triiodothyronine (T3) were assessed, and individuals exhibiting subclinical hypothyroidism were subsequently subjected to a two-dimensional echocardiogram (2DEcho).
Results:
A statistically significant decrease was observed in peak early filling velocity (PE) (p<0.001) and early filling time velocity integral (Ei) (p<0.001). The statistical analysis revealed a significant reduction in the ratio of early and late peak velocities (PE/PA) (p<0.001), the ratio of time velocity integral of early and atrial filling (Ei/Ai) (p<0.001), and the ratio of the early peak to average velocity (PE/M) (p<0.001). The mean ejection fraction (EF) for the hypothyroid patients was 54.8 5.54, which was slightly lower compared to the control subjects who had a mean EF of 55.6 3.45. The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant, as indicated by a T-value of 0.48.
Conclusion:
Our findings indicate that sub-clinical hypothyroidism is associated with notable diastolic dysfunction, while systolic function remains largely unaffected.
Recommendation:
Patients with subclinical hypothyroidism should be regularly monitored for their diastolic function. Any abnormality if detected should be promptly managed to reduce cardiovascular morbidity.