Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship if any, between left ventricular systolic and diastolic function and lung function in hyperthyroid patients. We performed M-mode and pulsed Doppler echocardiography evaluating left ventricular structure, systolic function, maximal early (E) and atrial (A) diastolic flow velocity, E/A ratio and atrial filling fraction (AFF) in 19 hyperthyroid patients. We assessed the spirometry and flow-volume by means of a body plethysmograph. Hyperthyroid patients demonstrated significant inverse correlations between the forced vital capacity (FVC) and ejection fraction (EF) r=-0.51 ; p<0.05 (between FVC and the shortening fraction (FS) as well r=-0.49; p<0.05). AFF was positively correlated with the thoracic gas volume (TGV) r= 0.49; p<0.05. The E/A ratio was significantly inversely correlated with TGV r=-0.65; p<0.5, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) r =-0.47; p<0.5 and forced expiratory flow at 25% of forced vital capacity (FEF25) r=-0.57; p<0.05. We noted that an increase of LV function was concomitant with a decrease in FVC. Patients with an elevated AFF and lower E/A ratios demonstrated higher TGV values and increased flow through the peripheral airways.

Keywords: lung function, left ventricular systolic and diastolic function, hyperthyroidism