Background: Effect of thyroid hormone on cardiac functions
is mediated by biologically active T3 which binds to nuclear
TR. There is increasing evidence that patients with mild thyroid
dysfunctions are presenting with adverse cardiovascular
manifestations which includes heart failure.
Aim: The present study aimed to determine the existence of
low T3 syndrome in patients with chronic heart failure.
Material and Methods: This prospective study was conducted
in the Department of General Medicine and Cardiology, KMC,
and MGM Hospital, Warangal. patients with heart failure were
included in the study. A total of n=100 patients were included
in the study detailed physical examination was conducted to
assess the patient's volume status (rales, edema, jugular venous
distension), weight, height, body mass index, and orthostatic
blood pressure changes. Complete blood count, blood glucose
(fasting and 2 hours postprandial), Fasting serum lipid profile,
blood urea, serum creatinine, and serum electrolytes were
measured in all patients. Two-dimensional echocardiography
was done in patients.
Results:Analysis of Echocardiography parametersCompared to
patients who were alive (n=90),left ventricular end-diastolic
diameter was higher in those whodied (n=10). The mean
ejection fraction in died and alive groups were27.19% and
35.12% respectively. Persons who died had asignificantly lower
ejection fraction than those alive.When the mean ejection
fraction was compared betweenpatients with low total
T3
(T3<80 ng/dl) and normal T3
, patients with low T3
had a mean
ejection fraction of 29.2% and those with normal T3
levels had
a mean ejection fraction of 34.78%. This indicates the mean
ejection fraction is lower in patients with low total T3
levels.
Conclusion:Within the limitations of the present study it can
be concluded that the prevalence of low T3
syndrome in
patients with chronic heart failure is common. It was found
that patients with lower T3
levels were having a lower ejection
fraction.The LVEDD diameterwas negatively correlated with
total T3. Therefore, Total T3
levels can be used as an adjunct to
other parameters for risk stratification and survival estimation
in chronic heart failure.