[Heart failure and convulsions in thyrotoxicosis. A young woman with Graves' disease].

Graves' disease, which is an organ-specific autoimmune disorder, is the most frequent cause of thyrotoxicosis. Females are more often affected than males. The clinical pattern varies, however, and nearly every organ system may be involved. This case study describes a formerly healthy young woman with Graves' disease who was admitted to the hospital with cardiac failure, convulsions and generalized lymphoid hyperplasia. A reversible thyrotoxic cardiomyopathia combined with hyperdynamic circulation may result in cardiac failure even in younger patients, and the cardiac function normalizes in the euthyroid state. Seizures may occur in association with hyperthyroidism. High doses of propranolol may precipitate the condition by lowering the threshold for seizures.