Korean Journal of Medicine  2004;66(2):204-208

A case of Sheehan's syndrome presented by recurrent ventricular tachycardia.

Kyoung Hee KWEON 1 ; Hyun Jung KIM ; Bong Joon YANG ; Seung Hun BAEK ; Myeung Su LEE ; Byoung Hyun PARK ; Chung Gu CHO

Affiliations

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Keywords

Sheehan's syndrome; Ventricular Tachycardia; QT prolongation

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

Electrocardiographic abnormalities commonly associated with hypopituitarism are low QRS voltage, ST-segment depression, inverted T waves and a prolonged QT interval. Although the mechanism remains unclear, glucocorticoid therapy, an intracelluar-extracellular electrolyte imbalance of myocytes, and histopathological changes in the myocardium are thought to play a role in this disorder. We discribe a 64 year old woman with recurrent ventricular tachycardia associated with QT prolongation in Sheehan's syndrome. Ventricualr tachycardia was treated by lidocain and direct current cardioversion. Sheehan's syndrome was confirmed by past history, anterior pituirary stimulation test and brain MRI showed empty sella. After hormone replacement treatment, inverted T waves and prolonged QT interval was normalized and ventricular tachycardia did not recur.