Ponce-Alvarado et al. (2026)
Palabras claves: tormenta tiroidea; tirotoxicosis; urgencias; cuidados intensivos; crisis tiroidea;
metimazol; propiltiouracilo; intercambio plasmático.
Abstract
Background: Thyroid storm is a rare, life-threatening endocrine emergency whose multisystem
presentation may mimic sepsis, cardiogenic shock, acute coronary syndrome, or an acute
abdomen. Early recognition and parallel initiation of supportive care and therapies that block
thyroid hormone synthesis, release, and peripheral effects are central to outcome. Objective: To
synthesize clinical evidence on early diagnosis, severity predictors, and treatment strategies for
thyroid storm in emergency and critical-care settings. Methods: PRISMA 2020–aligned systematic
review. PubMed/MEDLINE was searched from January 2000 through April 30, 2026. Primary
studies reporting diagnostic, therapeutic, or prognostic outcomes in thyroid storm were prioritized.
Seventy-one records were identified, 29 reports were assessed for eligibility, and 20 studies were
included in qualitative synthesis. Meta-analysis was not performed because of substantial clinical
and methodological heterogeneity. Results: Mortality was highest among critically ill patients with
cardiogenic shock, neurologic dysfunction, multiorgan failure, or disseminated intravascular
coagulation. Burch-Wartofsky and Japanese criteria are complementary clinical tools, but
treatment should not be delayed when clinical suspicion is high. Contemporary observational
comparisons did not demonstrate a consistent outcome advantage of propylthiouracil over
methimazole. Beta-blocker selection requires caution in decompensated heart failure. Potassium
iodide, glucocorticoids, and trigger control remain components of multimodal treatment, while
therapeutic plasma exchange, mechanical circulatory support, and urgent thyroidectomy may be
considered as rescue strategies in selected refractory cases. Conclusions: Thyroid storm should
be approached as a time-critical clinical diagnosis. Early hemodynamic stabilization, cautious
adrenergic control, antithyroid therapy, and trigger management should proceed in parallel.
Comparative evidence remains mainly observational.
Keywords: thyroid storm; thyrotoxicosis; emergency medicine; critical care; antithyroid drugs;
plasma exchange.
tiroidea. Las concentraciones de
1
. Introducción
tiroxina y triyodotironina pueden
solaparse con las observadas en
tirotoxicosis no complicada; por ello,
el diagnóstico depende de la
integración de antecedentes, signos
de hipermetabolismo, disfunción
orgánica y un factor precipitante. Los
sistemas Burch-Wartofsky y los
criterios japoneses (JTA/JES) son
los marcos más utilizados.
La tormenta tiroidea representa la
forma extrema de la tirotoxicosis y se
caracteriza por descompensación
sistémica aguda con compromiso
cardiovascular,
neurológico,
gastrointestinal-hepático
y
termorregulador.
Aunque
es
infrecuente, su mortalidad continúa
siendo clínicamente relevante y se
concentra en pacientes con shock,
falla orgánica y retraso diagnóstico.
Los desencadenantes más comunes
incluyen
suspensión
al
o
mala
El desafío en urgencias es que no
existe una prueba bioquímica única
que confirme o descarte la tormenta
adherencia
tratamiento
antitiroideo, infección, cirugía, parto,