A case of hyperthyroidism as a cause of pulmonary hypertension / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

Pulmonary hypertension has variable causes. Reported causes are autoimmune diseases, liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension, HIV infection, use of anorectic drugs or oral contraceptives, sleep apnea syndrome and endocrinopathies. Primary pulmonary hypertension is a rare, progressive, and often fatal disease of unknown cause. The disease is most common in women (ratio 1.71) and the mean age at the time of diagnosis is the mid-30s. Variable cardiovascular manifestations are frequent in hyperthyroidism. These include sinus tachycardia, atrial dysrhythmias, decreased exercise tolerance, cardiomegaly, increased cardiac output and congestive heart failure. Herein, we report a case with hyperthyroidism and coincidental pulmonary hypertension. After successful therapy of the thyrotoxic state, the pulmonary pressure decreased markedly, indicating a possible pathogenetic link.