Plasmapheresis in Thyrotoxicosis
Authors: Jack Ligtenberg, Jaap Tulleken, Jan Zijlstra
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1999)

Letters6 July 1999Plasmapheresis in ThyrotoxicosisJack Ligtenberg, MD, PhD, Jaap Tulleken, MD, PhD, and Jan Zijlstra, MD, PhDJack Ligtenberg, MD, PhDState University Hospital; NL-9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands (Ligtenberg)State University Hospital; NL-9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands (Tulleken)State University Hospital; NL-9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands (Zijlstra)Search for more papers by this author, Jaap Tulleken, MD, PhDState University Hospital; NL-9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands (Ligtenberg)State University Hospital; NL-9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands (Tulleken)State University Hospital; NL-9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands (Zijlstra)Search for more papers by this author, and Jan Zijlstra, MD, PhDState University Hospital; NL-9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands (Ligtenberg)State University Hospital; NL-9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands (Tulleken)State University Hospital; NL-9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands (Zijlstra)Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-131-1-199907060-00023 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:Plasmapheresis has been advocated when drug treatment of thyrotoxicosis fails. A few case reports with conflicting data on efficacy of plasmapheresis have been published (1-4). We describe two patients. Patient A was a 57-year-old man admitted with tachycardia and heart failure. The thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level was low (0.017 mU/L), and the free thyroxine (FT4) and triiodothyronine (FT3) levels were high (64 and 19 pmol/L, respectively). Amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis was diagnosed. Amiodarone therapy was stopped, and treatment with propylthiouracil, prednisolone, and low-dose β-blockade was started. Because agranulocytopenia occurred, propylthiouracil therapy was stopped. Atrial fibrillation with fast ventricular rate ...References1. Horn K, Brehm G, Habermann J, Pickardt CR, Scriba PC. Successful treatment of thyroid storm by continuous plasmapheresis with a blood-cell separator. Klin Wochenschr. 1976;54:983-6. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Tajiri J, Katsuya H, Kiyokawa T, Urata K, Okamoto K, Shimada T. Successful treatment of thyrotoxic crisis with plasma exchange. Crit Care Med. 1984;12:536-7. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Konig B, Kohn H, Meisl F. Plasma membrane separation. A therapeutic possibility in thyrotoxic crisis. Acta Med Austriaca. 1990;17:47-9. MedlineGoogle Scholar4. Sakata S, Komaki T, Kojima N, Miura K. The effect of double filtration plasmapheresis on thyroid hormone economy and thyroid function. Jpn J Med. 1986;25:246-9. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: State University Hospital; NL-9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands (Ligtenberg)State University Hospital; NL-9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands (Tulleken)State University Hospital; NL-9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands (Zijlstra) PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited ByContinuous improvement of both hepatic and cardiac dysfunction by sequential plasma exchange in a patient with thyrotoxicosis and cardiogenic shock: a case report indicating the potential role of cardiohepatic interactions during thyroid stormThyroid Storm in the ICUIssues in amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis: Update and review of the literatureEnjeux liés à l’hyperthyroïdie induite par l’amiodaroneSevere Hyperthyroidism Complicated by Agranulocytosis Treated with Therapeutic Plasma Exchange: Case Report and Review of the LiteraturePreoperative therapeutic apheresis for severe medically refractory amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis: A case reportPrise en charge en réanimation du coma myxoedémateux et des formes graves de thyrotoxicoseTwo case reports of thyrotoxic storm treated with CHDF and slow plasma exchangeRole of Plasma Exchange in the Thyroid StormPlasma Exchanges Overcome Persistent Iodine Overload to Enable 131 I Ablation of Differentiated Thyroid CarcinomaThe role of plasmapheresis in the treatment of amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosisTherapeutic Plasma ExchangePlasmapheresis as a potential treatment option for amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosisTherapeutic apheresis in renal and metabolic diseases 6 July 1999Volume 131, Issue 1Page: 71-72KeywordsBlood plasmaHeart rateResearch designTachycardiaThyroidThyroid hormonesThyroid-stimulating hormoneThyroidectomyThyroxineTriiodothyronine Issue Published: 6 July 1999 CopyrightCopyright © 1999 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF DownloadLoading ...