Journal
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ENDOCRINOLOGY
Volume 148, Issue 2, Pages 193-201Publisher
BIOSCIENTIFICA LTD
DOI: 10.1530/eje.0.1480193
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Background: Cardiac abnormalities develop in patients with acromegaly as a consequence of effects of GH/IGF-I on the heart and related cardiovascular risk factors. Objective: To evaluate the possible contribution of postoperative variations in blood pressure (BP), glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity to the cardiac improvement reported in patients who have been cured of acromegaly. Design: Thirty-one patients with acromegaly were studied before and 6 months after successful transsphenoidal surgery, defined by normal age-related IGF-I concentrations and glucose-suppressed GH concentrations < 1 mug/l. Methods: Cardiovascular parameters were assessed by Doppler echocardiography and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Insulin sensitivity indexes were calculated on the basis of fasting and post-load glycaemia and insulinaemia and referred to as HOMA(ISI), and OGTT(ISI), respectively. Results: Successful surgery was confirmed to improve left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and diastolic filling significantly, Mean 24-h systolic BP values decreased (P = 0.009) and BP rhythm was restored in 12 of 15 patients with a blunted preoperative profile. Glucose tolerance normalized in patients with preoperative glucose intolerance (n = 7) or diabetes mellitus (n = 3). HOMA(ISI) and OGTT(ISI) increased (P = 0.0001 for each parameter), indicating a marked improvement in insulin sensitivity. The postoperative reduction in LVMI correlated with increased insulin sensitivity (P < 0.001 for both indexes), but not with other parameters. Improved diastolic filling correlated with the reduction in LVMI. Conclusions: Successful surgery in patients with acromegaly induces a significant improvement in haemodynamic and metabolic risk factors. This study suggests a direct link between insulin resistance and acromegalic cardiomyopathy.
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