Endocrine Abstracts

Background: The causes of symptomatic bradycardia/complete are multifactorial. Bradycardia/complete heart block may be drug induced, electrolyte imbalance, ischaemic heart disease, or thyroid dysfunction. Hypothyroidism and electrolyte disturbances are reversible.

Objectives/aims: To dentify/find out whether thyroid function test where performed in patients presenting with bradycardia/CHB in keeping with good practice before insertion of permanent pace maker (PPM).

Standards: i) Thyroid function test done on admission-100%. ii) Thyroid function test done out of hours-100%.

Methods: We collected data from a list of 54 patients who needed PPM insertion from electrophysiology department/cardiology for the past 3 months.This was retrospective audit.

Results: Twenty patients (37%) had their thyroid function test prior to having PPM inserted, and 34 patients (67%) did not.

Conclusion: Hypothyroidism is reversible cause of symptomatic bradycardia/complete heartblock and thyroid function test should done prior to insertion of permanent pace maker (PPM).