SAT579 Newly Diagnosed Graves' Disease With Complete Heart Block In Elderly Patient. A Case Report
Authors: Eid Mennaallah Mohamed , Zahra Tasneem , Vargas-Jerez Julia 
Published: October 2023

Disclosure: M.M. Eid: None. T. Zahra: None. J. Vargas-Jerez: None.

Introduction: Hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid disorder in elderly. The prevalence of hyperthyroidism in elderly is 0.5-3% and mainly caused by toxic thyroid nodules. Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder mediated by TSH receptor antibody (TSHR AB), presents commonly with hyperthyroidism in middle age female(1). Complete heart block in elderly can be due to conduction system fibrosis, Ischemic/structural heart diseases, medications, electrolyte disturbance and hypothyroidism(2). Case 72yo, Female with history of DM and HTN. Denied smoking, alcohol, drug and allergy. Irrelevant family history. Medications include amlodipine, metformin and atorvastatin. She was referred to endocrinology clinic for low TSH (was normal last year). Review of system was negative, denied tremor, palpitation, anxiety, weight loss, bowel movement/mood/sleep change, vision/swallowing problem. Physical examination: ABP150/80, Heart Rate(HR) 75/min. Mild lid lag, no exophthalmos. No tremor. Thyroid gland: diffusely enlarged non tender, no bruit. Normal cardiopulmonary and abdomen examination. Laboratory work up TSH less than 0.01 normal 0.2 to 4.20 uIU/ml , FT4 3.5 normal 0.9 to1.8 ng/dl, FT3 6 normal 2 to 4.4 pg/ml. Repeat lab confirmed TSH suppression and high FT4 ,FT3. TSHR antibody 7.66 normal less than 1.75 IU/L, Thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin 5.05 normal less than 0.5 IU/L ,HBA1C 6.6, Normal liver and kidney function tests and Complete blood count. She was diagnosed with Graves’ disease, kept on Methimazole 10mg/day. 2 weeks later, she presented to the ED after syncope at home. Initial EKG showed complete heart block HR 35/min and right bundle branch block (RBBB), ABP 110/65. Hours later EKG showed transient first degree heart block HR 75/min, RBBB and left axis deviation, then complete heart block with HR 30/min. Normal Troponin, potassium 4.2 mmol/L, sodium 141 mmol/L, calcium 9.2mg/dl, TSH 0.015 uIU/ml,FT4 3 ng/dl. Negative Anti-Lyme IgG and IgM. Normal Echocardiogram. She underwent uneventful Dual chamber pacemaker implantation with close endocrinology follow up. Conclusion: Graves’ Disease has variable presentations in elderly. Hyperthyroidism causes tachyarrhythmia due to the positive chronotropic effect of thyroid hormones. Bradyarrhythmia in our case is most likely due to conduction system fibrosis and could be related to the inhibitory effect of TSHR AB in elderly in contrary to the simulating effect in young patients. It is still rare to diagnose symptomatic bradyarrhythmia with uncontrolled hyperthyroidism(1).

References:1-Bano A, Gan E, Addison C, Narayanan K, Weaver JU, Tsatlidis V, Razvi S: Age may influence the impact of TRAbs on thyroid function and relapse-risk in patients with Graves disease. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2019,104:1378-85. 10.1210/jc.2018-01738.

2-Klein I, Ojamaa K. Thyroid hormone and the cardiovascular system. N Engl J Med 2001;344:501-509.

Presentation: Saturday, June 17, 2023