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Doppler echocardiographic patterns in patients with acromegaly
M Terzolo1, L Avonto, C Matrella
1Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Biologiche, Universit¿a di Torino, Italy.
Journal of Endocrinological Investigation
|September 1, 1995
Summary
Acromegaly patients show subclinical heart dysfunction, specifically left ventricular hypertrophy and impaired diastolic function, regardless of disease activity. Echocardiography reveals these cardiac changes in acromegaly, highlighting the need for cardiovascular monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in acromegaly.
- Acromegaly, a condition of excess growth hormone, can lead to cardiac complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of cardiomyopathy in acromegaly patients using echocardiography.
- To correlate echocardiographic findings with demographic, clinical, and hormonal data.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective controlled clinical trial involving 25 acromegaly patients and 50 healthy controls.
- Echocardiography to evaluate left ventricular (LV) mass, systolic, and diastolic function.
- Hormonal assessment (serum GH, plasma IGF-I) and 48-hour ECG monitoring in active cases.
Main Results:
- Left ventricular hypertrophy found in 56% of acromegaly patients.
- Significantly increased LV mass index and impaired LV diastolic function in acromegalics compared to controls.
- No significant difference in echocardiographic findings between active and cured acromegaly patients.
Conclusions:
- Acromegaly is associated with subclinical left ventricular dysfunction.
- Cardiac changes are present irrespective of disease activity (active vs. cured).
- Further cardiovascular monitoring is warranted for acromegaly patients.