Difficult weaning of mechanical ventilation due to hypothyroidism

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the isolation of the problem of mechanical ventilation caused by hypothyroidism in hospitalized patients.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 80 patients under prolong mechanical ventilation (more than a week) were chosen and divided into two groups (each 40 cases). First group received routine treatment and the second one received routine treatment plus levothyroxine 0.1 mg daily. The disease outcome and ability to wean them were compared between groups. Results: Case group compared to control group had significantly lower TSH (4.74±1.25 vs. 5.55±0.30 μIU/mL, p<0.001), Free T3 (3.38±2.38 vs. 3.91±1.74 ng/dl, p=0.003) and higher Free T4 (4.65±2.33 vs. 4.05±2.51 ng/dl, p=0.002). Case group had also significantly more improvement in consciousness state (95% vs. 25%, p<0.001) and higher extubating rate (82.5% vs. 62.5%, p<0.001(.