Should we revisit anticoagulation guidelines during thyroid storm?

Abstract

Thyroid storm is a rare but potentially catastrophic disease expression of thyrotoxicosis with well-recognized cardiovascular manifestations such as heart failure and atrial fibrillation. Even through some studies have found an increased risk of cardiac thrombus formation and subsequent thromboembolism in these patients, the use of anticoagulation to prevent thromboembolic sequelae of thyrotoxic atrial fibrillation remains unclear. We present a patient presenting with new onset dilated cardiomyopathy and resistant atrial fibrillation with thyroid storm that had a large left atrial appendage clot. Case particulars are discussed and the literature reviewed.