Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Acute Myocardial Infarction During High-Dose Methylprednisolone therapy for Graves’ Ophthalmopathy

  • CASE REPORT
  • Published:
Pharmacy World and Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Management of Graves’ ophthalmopathy includes high-dose glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids may have many side effects, and therefore their use should always be carefully considered. Here we present the case of a woman who received high doses of methylprednisolone (1 g iv daily) for active Graves’ ophthalmopathy, and developed severe hypertension followed by myocardial infarction on the fifth day of treatment. Before the myocardial infarction, the patient was in good condition, normotensive, non-diabetic, non-obese. Except hypothyroidism after radioiodine treatment (euthyroid under substitutional therapy), she suffered from no other diseases. There had been one episode of chest discomfort in her past history. We conclude that myocardial infarction may develop in patients treated with high-dose glucocorticoids for Graves’ ophthalmopathy, and increased blood pressure may herald this complication.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

References

  1. Prabhakar BS, Bahn RS, Smith TJ. Current perspective on the pathogenesis of Graves’ disease and ophthalmopathy. Endocr Rev 2003; 24:802–805

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Shatney CH, MacCarter DJ, Lillehei RC. Effects of allopurinol, propranolol and methylprednisolone on infarct size in experimental myocardial infarction. Am J Cardiol 1976; 37(4):572–580

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. The Solu-Medrol Sterile Powder AMI Studies Group. Methylprednisolone as an intervention following myocardial infarction. J␣Int Med Res 1986; 14(Suppl 1):1–10

    Google Scholar 

  4. Osher J, Lang TW, Meerbaum S, Hashimoto K, Farcot JC, Corday E. Methylprednisolone treatment in acute myocardial infarction. Effect on regional and global myocardial function. Am J Cardiol 1976; 37(4):564–571

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Madias JE, Hood WB Jr. Effects of methylprednisolone on the ischemic damage in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Circulation 1982; 65(6):1106–1113

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Henning RJ, Becker H, Vincent JL, Thijs L, Kalter E, Weil MH. Use of methylprednisolone in patients following acute myocardial␣infarction. Hemodynamic and metabolic effects. Chest 1981; 79(2):186–194

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Bocanegra TS, Castaneda MO, Espinoza LR, Vasey FB, Germain BF. Sudden death after methylprednisolone pulse therapy. Ann Intern Med 1981; 95(1):122

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Smith RS, Warren DJ. Effects of high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone on circulation in humans. Transplantation 1983; 35(4):349–351

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. LeGal YM, Morrissey LL. Methylprednisolone interventions in myocardial infarction: a controversial subject. Can J Cardiol 1990; 6(9):405–410

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Maciej Owecki.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Owecki, M., Sowiński, J. Acute Myocardial Infarction During High-Dose Methylprednisolone therapy for Graves’ Ophthalmopathy. Pharm World Sci 28, 73–75 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-006-9013-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-006-9013-y

Keywords

Navigation