Avais Jabbar1,2, Lorna Ingoe2,3, Shahid Junejo4, Peter Carey4, Caroline Addison3, Honey Thomas5, Jehill D Parikh6, David Austin7, Kieren G Hollingsworth6, Deborah D Stocken8, Simon H S Pearce1,2, John P Greenwood9, Azfar Zaman1,2, Salman Razvi1,3. 1. Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. 2. Department of Cardiology, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. 3. Department of Endocrinology, Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust, Gateshead, United Kingdom. 4. Department of Endocrinology and Cardiology, South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, Sunderland, United Kingdom. 5. Department of Cardiology, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Cramlington, United Kingdom. 6. Newcastle Magnetic Resonance Centre, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. 7. Department of Cardiology, South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom. 8. Leeds Institute of Clinical Trials Research, University of Leeds, United Kingdom. 9. Leeds University and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, United Kingdom.
Abstract
Importance: Thyroid hormones play a key role in modulating myocardial contractility. Subclinical hypothyroidism in patients with acute myocardial infarction is associated with poor prognosis. Objective: To evaluate the effect of levothyroxine treatment on left ventricular function in patients with acute myocardial infarction and subclinical hypothyroidism. Design, Setting, and Participants: A double-blind, randomized clinical trial conducted in 6 hospitals in the United Kingdom. Patients with acute myocardial infarction including ST-segment elevation and non-ST-segment elevation were recruited between February 2015 and December 2016, with the last participant being followed up in December 2017. Interventions: Levothyroxine treatment (n = 46) commencing at 25 µg titrated to aim for serum thyrotropin levels between 0.4 and 2.5 mU/L or identical placebo (n = 49), both provided in capsule form, once daily for 52 weeks. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome measure was left ventricular ejection fraction at 52 weeks, assessed by magnetic resonance imaging, adjusted for age, sex, type of acute myocardial infarction, affected coronary artery territory, and baseline left ventricular ejection fraction. Secondary measures were left ventricular volumes, infarct size (assessed in a subgroup [n = 60]), adverse events, and patient-reported outcome measures of health status, health-related quality of life, and depression. Results: Among the 95 participants randomized, the mean (SD) age was63.5 (9.5) years, 72 (76.6%) were men, and 65 (69.1%) had ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. The median serum thyrotropin level was 5.7 mU/L (interquartile range, 4.8-7.3 mU/L) and the mean (SD) free thyroxine level was 1.14 (0.16) ng/dL. The primary outcome measurements at 52 weeks were available in 85 patients (89.5%). The mean left ventricular ejection fraction at baseline and at 52 weeks was 51.3% and 53.8%, respectively, in the levothyroxine group compared with 54.0% and 56.1%, respectively, in the placebo group (adjusted difference in groups, 0.76% [95% CI, -0.93% to 2.46%]; P = .37). None of the 6 secondary outcomes showed a significant difference between the levothyroxine and placebo treatment groups. There were 15 (33.3%) and 18 (36.7%) cardiovascular adverse events in the levothyroxine and placebo groups, respectively. Conclusions and Relevance: In this preliminary study involving patients with subclinical hypothyroidism and acute myocardial infarction, treatment with levothyroxine, compared with placebo, did not significantly improve left ventricular ejection fraction after 52 weeks. These findings do not support treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Trial Registration: isrctn.org Identifier: http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN52505169.
RCT Entities:
Importance: Thyroid hormones play a key role in modulating myocardial contractility. Subclinical hypothyroidism in patients with acute myocardial infarction is associated with poor prognosis. Objective: To evaluate the effect of levothyroxine treatment on left ventricular function in patients with acute myocardial infarction and subclinical hypothyroidism. Design, Setting, and Participants: A double-blind, randomized clinical trial conducted in 6 hospitals in the United Kingdom. Patients with acute myocardial infarction including ST-segment elevation and non-ST-segment elevation were recruited between February 2015 and December 2016, with the last participant being followed up in December 2017. Interventions: Levothyroxine treatment (n = 46) commencing at 25 µg titrated to aim for serum thyrotropin levels between 0.4 and 2.5 mU/L or identical placebo (n = 49), both provided in capsule form, once daily for 52 weeks. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome measure was left ventricular ejection fraction at 52 weeks, assessed by magnetic resonance imaging, adjusted for age, sex, type of acute myocardial infarction, affected coronary artery territory, and baseline left ventricular ejection fraction. Secondary measures were left ventricular volumes, infarct size (assessed in a subgroup [n = 60]), adverse events, and patient-reported outcome measures of health status, health-related quality of life, and depression. Results: Among the 95 participants randomized, the mean (SD) age was 63.5 (9.5) years, 72 (76.6%) were men, and 65 (69.1%) had ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. The median serum thyrotropin level was 5.7 mU/L (interquartile range, 4.8-7.3 mU/L) and the mean (SD) free thyroxine level was 1.14 (0.16) ng/dL. The primary outcome measurements at 52 weeks were available in 85 patients (89.5%). The mean left ventricular ejection fraction at baseline and at 52 weeks was 51.3% and 53.8%, respectively, in the levothyroxine group compared with 54.0% and 56.1%, respectively, in the placebo group (adjusted difference in groups, 0.76% [95% CI, -0.93% to 2.46%]; P = .37). None of the 6 secondary outcomes showed a significant difference between the levothyroxine and placebo treatment groups. There were 15 (33.3%) and 18 (36.7%) cardiovascular adverse events in the levothyroxine and placebo groups, respectively. Conclusions and Relevance: In this preliminary study involving patients with subclinical hypothyroidism and acute myocardial infarction, treatment with levothyroxine, compared with placebo, did not significantly improve left ventricular ejection fraction after 52 weeks. These findings do not support treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Trial Registration: isrctn.org Identifier: http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN52505169.
Authors: A Jabbar; L Ingoe; H Thomas; P Carey; S Junejo; C Addison; J Vernazza; D Austin; J P Greenwood; A Zaman; S Razvi Journal: J Endocrinol Invest Date: 2020-09-08 Impact factor: 4.256