The Pharmacotherapy of Thyroid Storm

Abstract

A review of thyrotoxic storm is presented. Included are causes, symptomatology, and mortality rates. Special emphasis is placed on the strong correlation between adrenergic blockade and success rates in treating thyrotoxic storm. Pharmacotherapy of the acute storm patient is discussed in detail with respect to agents that (1) decrease production of thyroid hormones; (2) block release of preformed thyroid hormones from the gland; (3) blunt the effects of excess thyroid hormones on the various target organs (e.g., CNS and heart); and (4) serve to decrease the metabolic strain on all organ systems caused by thyrotoxic storm.