Pericardial Manifestations of Thyroid Diseases

Abstract

Purpose of review: Thyroid disorders, especially hypothyroidism, are known to be associated with pericardial diseases. The aim of this paper is to review the current knowledge of the pericardial manifestations of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.

Recent findings: Many reports have described associations between dysthyroidism, which encompasses hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, and several pericardial diseases, including acute pericarditis, constrictive pericarditis, pericardial effusion, and tamponade. The diagnosis of dysthyroidism-induced pericardial diseases consists of a combination of thyroid blood levels that fall outside of the normal range and the exclusion of other causes. Treatment of the thyroid disorder is key, along with treatment of the pericardial disease as recommended by the guidelines. Early recognition of the thyroid disorder is key in patients with pericardial diseases, since treating the underlying cause should assist resolution of the pericardial issues and ideally prevent recurrence and possible future complications of suboptimally treated pericarditis or pericardial effusions.

Keywords: Acute pericarditis; Cardiac tamponade; Hyperthyroidism; Hypothyroidism; Pericardial effusion.