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Increased aortic root diameters in patients with acromegaly

Agatha A van der Klaauw1, Jeroen J Bax, Johannes W A Smit

  • 1Departments of Endocrinology, C4-R, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands. a.a.van_der_klaauw@lumc.nl

European Journal of Endocrinology
|May 23, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Acromegaly, a condition causing excess growth hormone, is linked to enlarged aortic root diameters in patients. This study found increased aortic dimensions in acromegaly patients compared to healthy individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Acromegalic cardiomyopathy presents with arrhythmias, valvular issues, and left ventricular hypertrophy.
  • The impact of acromegaly on the aortic root remains largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether acromegaly affects aortic root dimensions.
  • To compare aortic root measurements in acromegaly patients with healthy controls and assess changes over time.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective echocardiographic assessment of aortic root diameters in 37 acromegaly patients (active and controlled disease) over 1.9 years.
  • Comparison of baseline aortic root dimensions with healthy controls.
  • Analysis of aortic root diameter changes during the follow-up period.

Main Results:

  • Patients with acromegaly exhibited increased aortic root diameters at the sino-tubular junction and ascending aorta compared to controls.
  • Aortic root diameters at the annulus and sinotubular junction showed increases during follow-up.
  • Baseline aortic root dimensions were not correlated with disease duration, activity, or blood pressure.

Conclusions:

  • Aortic root diameters are significantly increased in patients with acromegaly.
  • The aortic root, particularly the sinotubular junction, demonstrates progressive enlargement in acromegaly patients.
Abstract

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