The heart in acromegaly: an echocardiographic study

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Endocrinology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Acromegaly, a disorder caused by excess growth hormone, can lead to significant cardiovascular complications.
• Cardiac involvement in acromegaly includes left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the anatomic and functional cardiac changes in patients with acromegaly.
• To explore the relationship between growth hormone levels and cardiac alterations.

Main Methods:

• Echocardiography was performed on 25 patients diagnosed with acromegaly.
• Cardiac structural parameters (septal thickness, left ventricular dimensions) and function (ejection fraction) were assessed.

Main Results:

• Asymmetric septal hypertrophy was observed in 10 patients (average thickness 16 mm).
• Left ventricular dilatation was present in 6 patients, with diminished myocardial contractility (reduced ejection fraction) in most.
• Higher growth hormone levels were associated with left ventricular hypertrophy compared to normal or dilated ventricles.

Conclusions:

• Acromegaly frequently causes cardiac hypertrophy and dilatation.
• Elevated growth hormone levels appear to be a primary driver of myocardial hypertrophy in acromegaly.