The effect of first intervention on cardiac parameters in patients with acromegaly: a systematic review

Abstract

Objective: Cardiovascular disease in acromegaly patients remains a major cause of morbidity and all-cause mortality. This systematic review investigates the effect of the first growth hormone-lowering intervention on cardiac parameters.

Design: Systematic review.

Methods: Studies evaluating cardiac parameters following the first intervention in acromegaly published up to February, 25, 2022 were included in this systematic review. Risk of bias was assessed using a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist. Primary treatment modalities included (transsphenoidal) surgery and medical treatment with first-generation somatostatin receptor ligands. Cardiac outcome measures were divided into cardiac structure (left ventricular hypertrophy [LVH], [indexed] left ventricular mass [LVM/LVMi]) and cardiac function (left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] and E/A ratio).

Results: Twenty-six studies (17 cohort studies and 9 case reports) were included out of 2541 potential studies. The risk of bias analysis categorized, 24 studies as low risk and 2 studies as intermediate risk. Disease-associated changes in cardiac structure and function generally improved in most studies following primary treatment. Left ventricular mass/left ventricular mass index significantly decreased in 9/15 studies and the prevalence of LVH in 3/13 studies. Left ventricular ejection fraction significantly increased in 9/14 studies and the E/A ratio in 6/7 studies. Despite the limited number of studies, cardiac structure improved more in patients achieving biochemical remission than in those failing to achieve biochemical remission.

Conclusions: Acromegaly associated structural and functional myocardial changes improve with both medical and surgical treatment. Normalizing or even reducing growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor 1 levels may be key in the prevention of further progression of cardiac involvement in acromegaly and adverse cardiac outcomes.

Keywords: acromegaly; cardiac function; cardiomyopathy; left ventricular hypertrophy; somatostatin analogs; transsphenoidal surgery.