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Heart Failure Drugs: Inotropic Agents

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Heart Failure Drugs: Diuretics

Heart Failure Drugs: Diuretics

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Rating L-DOPA-Induced Dyskinesias in the Unilaterally 6-OHDA-Lesioned Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease

Rating L-DOPA-Induced Dyskinesias in the Unilaterally 6-OHDA-Lesioned Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease

Published on: October 4, 2021

Dopamine agonists and valvular heart disease.

Dianne Cheung¹, Anthony Heaney

¹Departments of Medicine & Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.

Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Obesity

|June 10, 2009

Summary

Dopamine agonists effectively treat prolactinomas. While generally safe, patients needing higher doses or long-term treatment may face a low risk of cardiac valve disease, warranting monitoring.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Rating L-DOPA-Induced Dyskinesias in the Unilaterally 6-OHDA-Lesioned Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease

Rating L-DOPA-Induced Dyskinesias in the Unilaterally 6-OHDA-Lesioned Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease

Published on: October 4, 2021

Area of Science:

Endocrinology
Cardiology
Pharmacology

Background:

Dopamine agonists are primary treatment for prolactinomas, effectively lowering prolactin levels and reducing tumor size.
Concerns exist regarding potential cardiac valve abnormalities in patients treated with dopamine agonists, similar to findings in Parkinson's disease.
This review examines the link between dopamine agonist therapy for prolactinomas and cardiac valve disease.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the current literature on dopamine agonist use and cardiac valve disease in prolactinoma patients.
To assess the potential cardiac risks associated with dopamine agonist therapy for prolactinomas.
To provide clinical guidance for managing these risks.

Main Methods:

Literature review of studies on dopamine agonists, prolactinomas, and cardiac valvular abnormalities.
Analysis of dopamine agonist dosing in prolactinoma therapy versus Parkinson's disease.
Evaluation of reported cardiac outcomes in prolactinoma patients treated with dopamine agonists.

Main Results:

Dopamine agonists are effective for prolactinomas, with typical doses posing a low risk of valvulopathy.
Off-target effects on 5-HT2B receptors at high doses are implicated in cardiac valve disease in Parkinson's patients.
Prolactinoma treatment doses are generally 10-fold lower, and most studies show no observed valvular abnormalities.

Conclusions:

Dopamine agonists remain effective and generally safe for prolactinoma treatment at standard doses.
Patients requiring higher doses or prolonged therapy may have an increased risk of cardiac valvulopathy.
High-risk patients should undergo echocardiography, consider drug holidays, and potentially discontinue therapy if feasible.