Acromegalic cardiomyopathy: a neglected cause of cardiomyopathy
V. 173 N. 1 (2022), Case report
V. 173 N. 1 (2022)

Acromegalic cardiomyopathy: a neglected cause of cardiomyopathy: doi: 10.7417/CT.2022.2387

Case report
Pubblicato 2022-02-09
T. Bonora
1Internal Medicine Department, Ospedale Regionale Lugano, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Switzerland
E. Rigamonti
Internal Medicine Department, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano Switzerland
M. Capoferri
Cardiology Department, Ospedale Regionale di Lugano e Mendrisio, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Switzerland
M. L. De Perna
Cardiology Department, Ospedale Regionale di Lugano e Mendrisio, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Switzerland
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Parole chiave

Acromegalic cardiomyopathy
structural dilatative cardiomyopathy
stress echocardiography

Abstract

Acromegaly represents a rare endocrine condition characterized by an excessive secretion of the growth hormone (GH) and the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), mostly subsequent to a pituitary adenoma. Acromegaly affects 40-60 people per million without significant difference between men and women, with an average age of onset of 44. The slow progression of the disease leads to a delay in diagnosis of 4 to 10 years from the onset of the hormonal imbalance. The increase of the GH and IFG-1 levels is associated with cardiac, respiratory, metabolic and rheumatic disorders. The cardiac involvement, also called acromegalic cardiomyopathy, causes a serious deterioration of the prognosis quoad vitam. An early diagnosis and a targeted treatment at the initial stage of the myocardial damage can enable the reversibility of the structural alterations.

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