Thyroid hormone profile in patients diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction and its relation with mortality

Abstract

Objective: Thyroid hormones have an important role in the cardiovascular system function. As maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis, even small fluctuations in thyroid hormone levels can increase cardiovascular-related mortality. This study aims to investigate the correlation between thyroid hormone disorders and mortality among patients admitted to the emergency department with chest pain and diagnosed with myocardial infarction. Material and Methods: The primary objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate individuals who were admitted to the emergency department and diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction, focusing specifically on patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (non-STEMI). The study comprised a total of 70 patients who were enrolled as participants and various parameters including age, gender, medical history of chronic diseases, routine blood parameters, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride levels, as well as measurements of free T3, free T4, and TSH were recorded. Additionally, diagnoses, discharge status, and in-hospital mortality were documented. The relationship between the mortality status of the patients and the observed changes in the current thyroid function tests was evaluated. Results: The study encompassed a cohort of patients with a mean age of 64.46 ± 15.64 years (minimum: 29, maximum: 92), of which 22 individuals (31.4%) were female, and 48 (68.6%) were male. While no significant difference was found in the comparison of laboratory mean values of the patients included in the study by gender (p > 0.05), the difference between fT3, Htc and Hemoglobin values between the mortality group and the survival group was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Thyroid hormone disorders pose risks related to coronary artery disease, encompassing hypertension, atherosclerosis, lipid metabolism, homocysteine production, and endothelial effects, which can amplify mortality rates among acute myocardial infarction patients. The "low T3 syndrome" denotes an imbalance of thyroid hormones that significantly impacts cardiovascular mechanisms. Aberrant thyroid hormone levels exhibit a higher prevalence within acute coronary syndromes.