Uncontrolled Acromegaly Resulting in the Need for Left Ventricular Assist Device as Bridge to Heart Transplant

Acromegaly is a rare pituitary condition stemming from hypersecretion of growth hormone (GH). Classic presentation involves enlarged hands, feet, and coarse facial features. However, late-onset cardiac manifestations develop in the absence of disease control. Of the various cardiac complications, heart failure is the rarest (3%-4% of cases). Here we present a case of acromegaly diagnosed after the patient exhibited symptoms of heart failure, with eventual placement of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) as a bridge to orthotopic heart transplant. The 37-year-old patient originally presented with exercise intolerance and "heavy heartbeats" but was found to be in acute decompensated heart failure, with an ejection fraction (EF) of 15%. The acromegaly diagnosis was confirmed with labs, and he began treatment with lanreotide 120 mg weekly along with 0.5 mg cabergoline twice weekly. EF improved up to 30%. Soon after, he was lost to follow-up during the COVID-19 pandemic and returned with worsening EF. An LVAD was placed to support recovery while the patient awaited heart transplant. While LVADs are a common measure of cardiac support for ischemic cardiomyopathy, they can also be successful options in the setting of GH-driven cardiomegaly.