Sudden Death Secondary to Hyperthyroidism (Thyroid Storm, Thyroid Crisis)

 

The patient may be known to be hyperthyroid but it sometimes it is not expected ("silent").

 

Clinical and laboratory features:

(1) The patient may present with a tachyarrhythmia, ischemic heart disease and/or pulmonary edema, which may be precipitated by some stressful event.

(2) The patient develops multi-organ failure.

(3) Sudden death may occur if appropriate therapy is not started quickly.

(4) Blood specimens show a markedly elevated T3 and/or T4.

(5) Examination of the thyroid shows goiter, thyromegaly and/or thyroiditis.

(6) Exclusion of other causes of sudden death.