narrative pathophysiology of cardiothyrotoxicosis

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    NARRATIVE:

    Hyperthyroidism includes diseases that are a subset of thyrotoxicosis that are

    caused by excess synthesis and secretion of thyroid hormone by the

    thyroid. Thyrotoxicosis is the hypermetabolic condition associated with elevated levels

    of free thyroxine (T4) and/or free triiodothyronine (T3).

    The over stimulation of the thyroid gland leads to hyperplasia of the gland and

    subsequently this leads to an increase in the secretion of thyroid hormones. The growth

    in the cells and its multiplication manifest in enlargement of the gland. Noticeable

    changes occur in all parts of the body as a result of the increased hormone secretion.

    There is elevation in metabolic rate manifesting in elevation in metabolism of protein, fat

    and carbohydrate. The accelerated protein and fat metabolism lead to weight loss and

    muscular weakness. The body attempts to remedy the weight loss and so the patient's

    appetite is increased in the process.

    Patient is unable to tolerate hot weather as a result of the increase in the body

    metabolism. The superficial capillaries dilate leading to increased peripheral blood flow

    and also an increase in cardiac output as the body tries to eliminate excess heat fromthe system. This accounts for warm and moist skin and also for the perspiration.

    The increase cardiac output in conjunction with hormonal effects on the

    sympathetic nerves brings about palpitation and tachycardia. There may be ectopic

    beats or atrial fibrillation in the elderly. There is increase in systolic blood pressure and

    the pulse pressure. The heart tries to compensate for these increases and may

    eventually become overwhelmed and fail.The hemodynamic features of hyperthyroidism

    are due to functional alterations in both the peripheral circulation and the myocardium.

    There is an increase in total blood volume and a decrease in systemic vascular

    resistance . These effects increase preload and decrease afterload and are

    accompanied by an increase in heart rate and myocardial contractility . The result is a

    high output cardiac state.

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    Patients with CHF usually present to the hospital with signs of fluid overload.

    They become short of breath due to the buildup of excess fluid in the lung. The fluid

    excess interferes with the transfer of oxygen from air to blood. Classically this has been

    attributed to abnormal heart muscle function where the heart muscle is weakened (by

    heart attack, hypertension, or other causes) and can no longer pump blood efficiently.

    The heart is stiff and requires higher pressure to fill it between heartbeats. The period

    between heartbeats when the heart fills is called diastole, and this form of heart muscle

    disease is called diastolic heart failure. Much less is known about this form of CHF in

    spite of the fact that up to half of the heart failure treated in hospital in diastolic CHF.

    The most common identifiable cause of diastolic heart failure by far is hypertension.

    There will be a condition called Pleural Effusion caused by Left sided heart failuerev-

    the accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity that is caused by the backflow of blood

    from the left ventricle. Symptoms such as crackles, dyspnea, and blood tinged

    secretions will occur.

    Portal Hypertension happens when unoxygenated and detoxified blood goes to

    the right atrium. For patients with Right Sided Heart Failure there will be ineffective

    pumping of blood therefore accumulation of blood in the right ventricle causes

    congestion. There will be a backflow of accumulated blood back to the hepatic vein

    down to the liver and the portal vein. Increase accumulation of blood in the portal vein

    causes Portal Hypertension.

    With proper management such as Management such as: oxygen therapy,

    intubation, use of mechanical ventilator, cardiac monitoring, suctioning, OF feeding via

    NGT, semi-fowlers position, nebulization. The patient will be able to improve his/her

    cardiac output, have effective tissue perfusion, restored oxygenation of tissue and cells

    leading to cell recovery, therefore multi- organ system failure is PREVENTED leading to

    good prognosis.

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    Without proper management, Patient will deteriorate, less oxygenated blood in

    the circulation and in the cells, therefore there will be cell death and multi-organ system

    failure leading to poor prognosis and eventually death.