CASE COMMUNICATION
IMAJ | volume 25
Journal 5, May 2023
pages: 349-350
VA-ECMO for Thyroid Storm: Case Reports and Review of the Literature
1 Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hadassah Medical Organization and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
2 Department of Internal Medicine, Hadassah Medical Organization and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
3 Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Hadassah Medical Organization and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
4 Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Hadassah Medical Organization and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
5 Department of Hematology, Hadassah Medical Organization and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
Summary
Thyroid storm-related heart failure is a rare, life threatening complication of hyperthyroidism. In refractory cases, urgent thyroidectomy is required for definitive control of thyrotoxicosis. venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is a supportive measure for cardiorespiratory failure requiring continuous anticoagulation to prevent clotting. We presented two cases of thyrotoxic cardiac failure that necessitated VA-ECMO. One of the patients was successfully treated with thyroidectomy while on VA-ECMO. To the best of our knowledge, only two such cases have previously been reported.