Cardiovascular Disease in Acromegaly
Morali D Sharma1, Anh V Nguyen1, Spandana Brown1
1Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas.
Insights
Acromegaly causes heart problems like cardiomyopathy due to excess growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Treatment can improve heart function and reduce cardiovascular risks.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Chronic excess of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in acromegaly patients.
- Development of acromegalic cardiomyopathy with specific cardiac features.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the pathophysiology and features of acromegalic cardiomyopathy.
- To discuss the impact of treatment on cardiac changes and cardiovascular risks.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on acromegaly and its cardiac manifestations.
- Analysis of pathophysiologic changes in acromegalic cardiomyopathy.
Main Results:
- Acromegalic cardiomyopathy characterized by biventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction.
- Progression to systolic dysfunction and congestive heart failure in later stages.
Conclusions:
- Treatment of acromegaly and cardiovascular risk factors can reverse cardiac changes.
- Intervention decreases the high risk of cardiovascular complications in acromegaly patients.
Abstract:
In patients with acromegaly, chronic excess of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) leads to the development of acromegalic cardiomyopathy. Its main features are biventricular hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction, and in later stages, systolic dysfunction and congestive heart failure. Surgical and/or pharmacological treatment of acromegaly and control of cardiovascular risk factors help reverse some of these pathophysiologic changes and decrease the high risk of cardiovascular complications.
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