Review Article: CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS ASSOCIATED WITH ACROMEGALY: An Update

Rinsha Pv Sherin, Nicole O Vietor, Aqueel Usman, Thanh D Hoang, Mohamed Km Shakir

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

The most common causes of increased cardiovascular mortality in acromegaly are due to cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Acromegalic cardiomyopathy, is defined as concentric biventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction when other cardiac diseases like hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and arrhythmias related cardiac disorders have been excluded. This also contributes to significant morbidity and mortality in these patients. The main risk factors contributing to the development of cardiomyopathy include advancing age, disease duration and body mass index (BMI). The duration of GH excess rather than the degree of hormone elevation is more closely associated with the development of biventricular enlargement, diastolic dysfunction, heart failure, and valvular disease. Additionally, other cardiovascular disorders such as coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, valvular heart diseases, systemic hypertension, atherosclerosis, and rarely congestive cardiac failure are also involved in the shortened life span of these patients especially if poorly controlled. Biochemical control of acromegaly with the recently available multimodal treatment along with better management of cardiovascular co-morbidities has improved the morbidity and mortality rates of patients with acromegaly. However, with the recent advances in the treatment of acromegaly neoplastic causes presently remain as the main leading cause of death in these patients.

Original languageEnglish
JournalEndocrine Practice
DOIs
StateE-pub ahead of print - 25 Sep 2024

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