Acute right ventricular failure evoked by trauma induced thyroid storm supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: A case report

Rationale: Cardiac arrest due to thyroid storm is a very rare clinical feature with high mortality that presents as multiorgan dysfunction. The mortality rate under this condition is close to 30%, even with appropriate treatment. Most thyroid storms occur in patients with long-standing untreated hyperthyroidism. Patient concerns: A 67-year-old woman, who had no specific medical history, was admitted with stupor mentality after a pedestrian traffic accident. Diagnosis: The patient had a Burch and Wartofsky score of 80, well beyond the criteria for diagnosis of a thyroid storm (>45 points). Interventions: Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was performed due to persistent unstable vital signs and findings of right ventricular dysfunction after return of spontaneous circulation after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Circulatory assist with ECMO was performed for 8 days using a beta blocker, steroids, thionamide, and Lugol iodine solution. Outcomes: Myocardial function and thyroid hormone levels were rapidly normalized. The patient's mental state recovered, and patient was discharged on day 36 maintaining medication. Lessons: Diagnosis of a thyroid storm in patients with multiple trauma is very difficult, because most trauma patients have symptoms of tachycardia, altered mental status, and abdominal pain that appear in thyrotoxic events. However, when unexplained shock without bleeding evidence occurs in patients with multiple trauma, a thyroid function test should be performed to rule out thyroid storm. Moreover, if hyperthyroidism is observed in a trauma patient, even if there is no history of hyperthyroidism, the possibility of a thyroid storm must be considered along with medical support treatment such as ECMO in patient with cardiogenic shock.

Automated summary

Thyroid storm is a rare but life-threatening clinical feature that can be difficult to diagnose and requires thyroid function testing to rule out. For trauma patients, the possibility of thyroid storm should be considered when unexplained shock occurs, and appropriate treatment should be given promptly.