Torsade de pointes induced by hypocalcemia in a postoperative patient with thyrotoxicosis

Jpn Heart J. 1992 Sep;33(5):735-8. doi: 10.1536/ihj.33.735.

Abstract

A 29-year-old woman with a long-term history of Graves' disease was admitted for thyroidectomy. Torsade de pointes occurred after the subtotal thyroidectomy. The level of her serum calcium was lower than normal. After administration of calcium gluconate intravenously, torsade de pointes disappeared and was no longer recorded. It is assumed that her torsade de pointes was caused by hypocalcemia as a complication of subtotal thyroidectomy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Calcium Gluconate / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Graves Disease / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Hypocalcemia / drug therapy
  • Hypocalcemia / etiology*
  • Thyroidectomy / adverse effects*
  • Torsades de Pointes / etiology*
  • Torsades de Pointes / prevention & control

Substances

  • Calcium Gluconate