Objective: To investigate the value of iodine-131 therapy for hyperthyroidism complicated hyperthyroid heart disease(HHD) induced by Graves' disease or Plummer disease.
Methods: Totally 40 HHD cases who were confirmed in our department from 2009 to 2010 were enrolled in this study. All patients received serum thyroid hormones and associated antibodies tests, 12-lead electrocardiogram, and/or thyroid imaging before and after iodine-131 therapy to access the treatment effectiveness.
Results: Among 31 patients with HHD due to Graves' disease and 9 due to Plummer disease, iodine-131 treatment resulted in euthyroidism in 15 and 5 patients and hypothyroid in 7 and 2 patients, while 9 and 2 remain hyperthyroid, respectively.Serum free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, and thyroid-stimulating hormone were statistically significant(P<0.05) before and after iodine-131 therapy, while no significant difference for serum thyrotrophin receptor antibody, antithyroid peroxidase autoantibody, and anti-thyroglobulin antibody.Atrial fibrillation was the most common cardiac complication of hyperthyroidism(n=25, 62.5%) .The remission rate after iodine-131 treatment was 76.0%.
Conclusion: Iodine-131 therapy can effectively and timely control hyperthyroid in HHD patients.