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Valvular heart disease in patients taking pergolide
E Andrew Waller1, Joseph Kaplan, Michael G Heckman
1Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Fl 32224, USA.
Mayo Clinic Proceedings
|August 12, 2005
Summary
Pergolide use was associated with an increased frequency of aortic regurgitation (AR). While moderate to severe valvular disease showed no statistical difference, higher pergolide dosage may link to AR.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Pergolide is a dopamine agonist used for Parkinson's disease.
- Valvular heart disease (VHD) is a potential adverse effect of certain medications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the frequency of valvular heart disease in patients taking pergolide.
- To assess the association between pergolide dosage and VHD.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records for patients treated with pergolide and controls.
- Two-dimensional echocardiograms were analyzed for valvular regurgitation.
- Comparison of VHD frequency between pergolide users and controls.
Main Results:
- 45% of pergolide users had any degree of aortic regurgitation (AR) compared to 21% of controls (P=.006).
- No significant difference in moderate to severe mitral, tricuspid, or aortic regurgitation between groups.
- Marginal evidence suggests a link between higher pergolide dosage and moderate to severe AR (P=.05).
Conclusions:
- Pergolide use appears to increase the frequency of AR.
- A potential causal relationship between pergolide and VHD may occur at a low incidence.
- Dosage may be a factor in the development of pergolide-associated VHD.