Cardiovascular Disorders Associated With Acromegaly: an Update

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Cardiology
• Oncology

Background:

• Acromegaly, characterized by excess growth hormone, significantly elevates cardiovascular mortality.
• Cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death are primary causes of mortality.
• Acromegalic cardiomyopathy involves biventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction, excluding other cardiac conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the cardiovascular complications and mortality causes in acromegaly.
• To highlight risk factors and disease associations contributing to cardiovascular morbidity.
• To discuss the impact of modern treatment on patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of cardiovascular complications in acromegaly.
• Analysis of risk factors including age, disease duration, and BMI.
• Evaluation of the association between growth hormone excess duration and cardiac dysfunction.

Main Results:

• Cardiovascular disorders like arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, and hypertension are prevalent.
• Longer disease duration, not hormone level, correlates with biventricular enlargement and heart failure.
• Improved acromegaly control has reduced cardiovascular mortality.

Conclusions:

• Acromegalic cardiomyopathy is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality.
• While cardiovascular deaths have decreased with treatment, neoplastic causes are now the primary cause of death.
• Comprehensive management of acromegaly and its comorbidities is crucial for improving patient survival.