scholarly journals Crash Landing of Thyroid Storm: A Case Report and Review of the Role of Extra-Corporeal Systems

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shir Lynn Lim ◽  
Kangjie Wang ◽  
Pak Ling Lui ◽  
Kollengode Ramanathan ◽  
Samantha Peiling Yang

Thyroid storm is a rare but life-threatening endocrinological emergency with significant mortality ranging from 10-30% with multi-organ involvement and failure. In view of the rarity of this condition and efficacy of established first line medical treatment, use of extra-corporeal treatments are uncommon, not well-studied, and its available evidence exists only from case reports and case series. We describe a 28-year-old man who presented with an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest secondary to thyroid storm. Despite conventional first-line pharmacotherapy, he developed cardiogenic shock and circulatory collapse with intravenous esmolol infusion, as well as multi-organ failure. He required therapeutic plasma exchange, concurrent renal replacement therapy, and veno-arterial extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation, one of the few reported cases in the literature. While there was clinical stabilization and improvement in tri-iodothyronine levels on three extra-corporeal systems, he suffered irreversible hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. We reviewed the use of early therapeutic plasma exchange and extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation, as well as the development of other novel extra-corporeal modalities when conventional pharmacotherapy is unsuccessful or contraindicated. This case also highlights the complexities in the management of thyroid storm, calling for caution with beta-blockade use in thyrocardiac disease, with close monitoring and prompt organ support.

Author(s):  
Huilin Koh ◽  
Manish Kaushik ◽  
Julian Kenrick Loh ◽  
Chiaw Ling Chng

Summary Thyroid storm with multi-organ failure limits the use of conventional treatment. A 44-year-old male presented with thyroid storm and experienced cardiovascular collapse after beta-blocker administration, with resultant fulminant multi-organ failure requiring inotropic support, mechanical ventilation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and continuous renal replacement therapy. Hepatic and renal failure precluded the use of conventional thyroid storm treatment and early plasma exchange was instituted. The patient underwent emergency thyroidectomy after four effective exchanges, with subsequent rapid reversal of multi-organ failure. The challenges of institution of plasma exchanges with ongoing ECMO support, dialysis and timing of thyroidectomy are discussed. This case highlights the important role of early therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) as an effective salvage therapy for lowering circulating hormones and stabilization of patients in preparation for emergency thyroidectomy in patients with thyroid storm and fulminant multi-organ failure. Learning points: Administration of beta-blockers in thyroid storm presenting with congestive cardiac failure may precipitate cardiovascular collapse due to inhibition of thyroid-induced hyperadrenergic compensation which maintains cardiac output. TPE can be an effective bridging therapy to emergency total thyroidectomy when conventional thyroid storm treatment is contraindicated. End-organ support using ECMO and CRRT can be combined with TPE effectively in the management of critically ill cases of thyroid storm. The effectiveness of plasma exchange in lowering thyroid hormones appears to wane after 44–48 h of therapy in this case, highlighting the importance early thyroidectomy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 2050313X2096408
Author(s):  
Abdulrahman Alharthy ◽  
Fahad Faqihi ◽  
Abdullah Balhamar ◽  
Ziad A Memish ◽  
Dimitrios Karakitsos

We present a case series of three patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to our intensive care unit due to acute respiratory distress syndrome, brain infarction, pulmonary embolism, and antiphospholipid antibodies. We applied therapeutic plasma exchange on all cases. On intensive care unit admission, all patients had low (<10) Glasgow Coma Scale, and central nervous imaging showed multiple brain infarctions. COVID-19 was confirmed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assays. Patients underwent rescue therapeutic plasma exchange using the Spectra OptiaTM Apheresis System (Terumo BCT Inc., USA), which operates with acid-citrate dextrose anticoagulant as per Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes 2019 guidelines. A dose of 1.5 plasma volume was used for the first dose and then 1 plasma volume daily for a total of five doses. Plasma was replaced with Octaplas LG® (Octapharma AG, USA), which is an artificial fresh frozen plasma product that has undergone viral inactivation by prion reduction technology. We administered ARDS-net/prone positioning ventilation, empiric antiviral treatment, therapeutic anticoagulation, and intensive care unit supportive care. Laboratory tests showed lymphocytopenia; elevated levels of D-dimer, fibrinogen, total bilirubin, C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase, and ferritin; as well as low levels of ADAMTS-13 activity and antibody. Serology tests depicted positive IgM and IgG antiphospholipid antibodies (anti-cardiolipin and anti-β2-glycoprotein I antibodies). No side effects of therapeutic plasma exchange were recorded. After the completion of therapeutic plasma exchange, patients improved clinically and gradually recovered neurologically (after 27–32 days). To conclude, in life-threatening COVID-19, especially when immune dysregulation features such as antiphospholipid antibodies exist, therapeutic plasma exchange could be an effective rescue therapy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e14-e18
Author(s):  
Kelsey Tieken ◽  
Ameena Madan Paramasivan ◽  
Whitney Goldner ◽  
Ana Yuil-Valdes ◽  
Abbey L. Fingeret

Objective: Graves disease is the most common cause of thyrotoxicosis. Medical management is the first-line treatment but may be contraindicated or ineffective. In patients with severe, refractory thyrotoxicosis therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) may be indicated as a bridge to thyroidectomy. Methods: We present 3 cases of thyrotoxicosis refractory to medical management that were successfully treated with TPE and subsequent total thyroidectomy, and provide an analysis of the response to therapy via a change in free thyroxine (fT4) levels throughout their treatment course. Results: The average change in fT4 per liter of fluid exchanged was 0.37 ng/dL (SD = 0.08) and the average percentage change of fT4 after each treatment was 20.7% (SD = 8.28). The mean decrease in fT4 after 4 TPE treatments was 57.4%. All patients successfully underwent total thyroidectomy without complication and were discharged from the hospital. Conclusion: TPE should be considered for thyrotoxic patients with severe hyperthyroidism or thyroid storm refractory to medical management or contraindications to antithyroid drugs who need a bridge to total thyroidectomy. In these cases, TPE was a safe and effective treatment that enabled definitive management with thyroidectomy and may be considered in other patients with severe refractory hyperthyroidism or thyrotoxicosis.


Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 4799-4799
Author(s):  
Mohamed Abu Haleeqa ◽  
Hanan Al Raeesi ◽  
Fatima Alkaabi

Background and Purpose Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a heterogeneous disease primarily characterized by thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia. Therapeutic plasma exchange has dramatically improved mortality, allowing for emergence of refractory, relapsing, and atypical presentations. in this case series we aim to present our institutional data for Apheresis in Sheikh khalifa medical City in AbuDhabi. We will also present patient demographic and clinical presentation and treatment protocol we use Methodology -Case series with Retrospective review. -Routine laboratory tests such as peripheral blood cell counts, reticulocyte count, coagulation profile, serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), bilirubin, serum creatinine, cardiac enzymes, and urinalysis, were performed. -ADAMTS13 levels and inhibitor titer were determined for all patient in outside lab -Baseline demographic characteristics were calculated in frequencies and percentages. (include age ,Gender , clinical manifestations and treatment strategy) Results and Discussions thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) pentad consisting of fever, thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA), neurological abnormalities, and renal failure. less than 5 % of patient reported in literature have all associated clinical features. -Total of 10 patients M:F 4:2 , Median Age 44yr 50% presented with Neurological manifestations and renal disease , 30% presented with Fever only 20% had cardiac manifestation on admission . None of the patient presented with all 5 pentad. -All patients received TPE , steroid . -90 % of the patients received Rituximab except for 1 because of Allergy. -All patients has low ADAMTS 13 , except one has normal ADAMTS13 but came with relapse and on first admission had low ADAMTS13 -All patient presented with MAHA and TCP except 2 patient whom had normal Hb but significant schistocytes on peripheral blood with TCP both patient where relapsed cases. -3 patient were relapsed 7 de novo , the 3 relapsed cases all did not receive Rituximab in first remission . One of them relapsed twice but did not received Rituximab due to allergy -Although some publication include large number of TTP patients, but only few case reports have evaluated the clinical feature, laboratory parameters and therapeutic outcome of TTP. Without treatment, TTP is almost uniformly fatal with a mortality rate approaching 90%. With the timely institution of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) mortality decreases to about 10%-20%. A disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin Type 1 motif, Member 13 (ADAMTS13) levels less than 5% are a hallmark of TTP. We do ADAMTS 13 Activity and inhibitor titre levels in outside facility TAWAM hospital with turn-around time of 7 days which is helpful in planning Rituximab treatment. with availability of Rituximab our relapse rates are low but not zero Conclusions -Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) pentad consisting of fever, thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA), neurological abnormalities, and renal failure. -5 % of patient reported in literature have all associated clinical features. -We found that majority of patient presented with evidence of thrombocytopenia and MAHA only. -Without treatment, TTP is almost uniformly fatal with a mortality rate approaching 90%. With the timely institution of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) mortality decreases to about 10%-20%. -TPE ,steroid and rituximab was very effective in achieving sustain remission in 100% of ours patients with median follow up 8 month -More awareness is needed for early diagnosis and early referral to centers with appropriate tertiary care facilities. Figure Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1753495X2110313
Author(s):  
Matthew Lumchee ◽  
Mimi Yue ◽  
Josephine Laurie ◽  
Adam Morton

Graves’ disease in pregnancy may be associated with maternal, fetal and neonatal complications, which are proportionate to the severity of hyperthyroidism. Optimal management is detailed preconception counselling, achievement of an euthyroid state prior to conception, and close monitoring of thyroid function and thyroid-stimulating antibodies together with judicious use of anti-thyroid medications during pregnancy. A case of Graves’ disease in pregnancy, complicated by pancytopenia, with a deterioration in thyroid function following cessation of thionamide therapy is described here. Therapeutic plasma exchange was subsequently used to achieve rapid control prior to thyroidectomy. Therapeutic plasma exchange is an effective treatment for hyperthyroidism where thionamides are ineffective or contraindicated, as a bridge to definitive management.


2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 638-644 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Ovadia ◽  
Anita Lövgren-Sandblom ◽  
Lindsey A. Edwards ◽  
Jacqueline Langedijk ◽  
Victoria Geenes ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea M. McGonigle ◽  
Aaron A. R. Tobian ◽  
Jennifer L. Zink ◽  
Karen E. King

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