Transient ventricular dysfunction associated with cesarean section in a patient with hyperthyroidism.

Pulmonary artery catheterization was performed prior to surgery in a severely hyperthyroid patient undergoing cesarean section. A transient but significant decline in left ventricular performance was observed in conjunction with the stress of operation. A parallel is suggested between this phenomenon and the documented exercise-induced reduction of left ventricular function in nonpregnant hyperthyroid patients.