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Previous Volume 302:883-885 April 17, 1980 Number 16 Next

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Abstract

We assessed the efficacy of the combination of propranolol and potassium iodide in the preparation of patients with Graves' disease for thyroid surgery. Potassium iodide was given orally in a dose of 60 mg three times a day for 10 days before operation in 10 patients who were already receiving propranolol. In contrast to previous experience with either drug used singly, the combined regimen caused a significant fall in mean serum total thyroxine and triiodothyronine to levels in the euthyroid range before operation (P less than 0.001). There was also a significant fall (P less than 0.05) before operation and transient rise after operation in serum reverse triiodothyronine. These preliminary results suggest that the combination of potassium iodide and propranolol may prove to be the optimum preoperative preparation for patients with Graves' disease.

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Franklyn, J. A. (1994). The Management of Hyperthyroidism. NEJM 330: 1731-1738 [Full Text]  
• Gerst, P. H., Fildes, J., Baylor, P., Zonszein, J. (1986). Long-Acting {beta}-Adrenergic Antagonists as Preparation for Surgery in Thyrotoxicosis. Arch Surg 121: 838-840 [Abstract]  
• Kurtz, S. C., Aber, R. C. (1982). Potassium Iodide as a Cause of Prolonged Fever. Arch Intern Med 142: 1543-1544 [Abstract]