5 Long-term acromegaly and associated cardiovascular complications: a case-based review

Because growth hormone and IGF-1 both have regulatory roles in the cardiovascular system, patients with acromegaly often present with abnormalities of heart structure and function and the vascular system, which if left unmanaged can reduce life expectancy. Early symptoms of acromegalic cardiomyopathy (hyperkinetic syndrome) can be characterized by cardiac hypertrophy, increased heart rate, and increased systolic output. When left untreated, more pronounced hypertrophy, signs of diastolic dysfunction and insufficient systolic function on exertion arise, and can lead to systolic dysfunction at rest, and eventually heart failure with signs of dilative cardiomyopathy. Increasingly, evidence suggests that early diagnosis and treatment of acromegaly (before the age of 40 years) can help prevent the progression of cardiovascular disease, improve quality of life, and reduce the risk of premature mortality. This review focuses on management strategies for newly diagnosed patients with acromegaly and evidence of cardiovascular disease. The roles of surgery and medical treatment are discussed in the context of using optimal treatment strategies to help reverse cardiac hypertrophy and normalize other cardiac risk factors.