Objective:

The aim of this study wasto clarify the changes in thyroid hormone levels in the acute phase and the effects of the iodine contrast agent on thesehormones.

Background:

Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is an established treatment for large vessel occlusion in patients with cerebral infarction. The use of iodine contrast agent decreases thyroid hormone levels via the so-called Wolff-Chaikoff effect. Low triiodothyronine (T3) syndrome caused by a severe illness status can contribute to decreased thyroid hormones. Reportedly, a low T3 level is associated with poor prognosis in patients with cerebral infarction. 

Design/Methods:

This was a single-center, prospective, and single-arm trial. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and free thyroxine (FT4) were tested on admission and 24 h postoperatively in patients who were approved for MT.

Results:

A total of 37 patients were screened during the study period and 31 patients were enrolled. Significant decreases were observed in TSH (P < 0.001) and FT3 (P < 0.001) levels 24 h after MT. Moreover, there was a correlation between the decrease ratio of change in FT3 levels and the amount of iodine contrast agent used per body surface area (r = 0.43, P = 0.019), while no such correlations were detected for TSH and FT4.

Conclusions:

We demonstrated that decrease in TSH and FT3 levels in the acute phase after MT and that FT3 levels were associated with the amount of iodine contrast agent used.