Amiodarone-Induced Thyroid Storm Causing Sustained Monomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia Treated With Plasmapheresis: A Challenging Clinical Case

Abstract

Thyroid storm is a rare endocrine emergency with a high mortality rate approaching 20%. It manifests with the exaggerated symptoms of hyperthyroidism including hyperpyrexia, hypotension, cardiac arrhythmias, and death. The mainstay of treatment includes supportive intensive care and initiation of thionamides, beta blockers, corticosteroids, and if necessary anti-arrhythmics in the presence of refractory ventricular arrhythmias. We describe a case of amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis and thyroid storm leading to refractory ventricular tachycardias treated with plasmapheresis when anti-arrhythmic therapy became contraindicated. Amiodarone-induced thyroid storm can lead to monomorphic ventricular tachycardia. Under the circumstances of limited medical therapies, plasmapheresis can be an effective treatment option. J Med Cases. 2020;11(3):79-81 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jmc3450