Evaluation of echocardiographic findings of post-operative acute hypothyroidism in patients who underwent total thyroidectomy

Effects of Acute Hypothyroidism on Echocardiographic Findings After Total Thyroidectomy Thyroid hormones are metabolic regulators that play a crucial role in maintaining systemic balance and have significant physiological effects on multiple organ systems. Their impact on the cardiovascular system is particularly evident through mechanisms affecting myocardial contractility, heart rate, and vascular resistance. Hypothyroidism negatively influences cardiac function, leading to bradycardia, decreased ejection fraction, and increased vascular resistance. Acute hypothyroidism following total thyroidectomy may further exacerbate these effects. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of acute hypothyroidism following total thyroidectomy on echocardiographic parameters. Preoperative and postoperative echocardiographic measurements were compared to assess myocardial function changes. A significant prolongation in isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) and isovolumic contraction time (IVCT) was observed. These findings suggest that hypothyroidism may impair myocardial relaxation. However, no statistically significant changes were detected in ejection fraction (EF) values. A negative correlation was identified between thyroid size and EF changes, suggesting that patients with larger thyroid glands may experience more pronounced postoperative cardiac function alterations. Additionally, smoking was found to have a significant effect on thyroid function, with greater changes in TSH, T3, and T4 levels observed in smokers. However, smoking had no statistically significant effect on echocardiographic parameters. In conclusion, acute hypothyroidism following total thyroidectomy appears to have early effects, particularly on myocardial relaxation and diastolic function. Regular echocardiographic and thyroid function monitoring is recommended in the postoperative period. Further large-scale studies are needed to better understand the long-term relationships between thyroid function and cardiac parameters.