The progression of fenfluramine-associated valvular heart disease assessed by echocardiography.
BACKGROUND
An association between the dietary suppressants fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine and valvular heart disease was first described in patients from North Dakota and Minnesota in 1997. Limited data are available on the natural history of this valvulopathy after discontinuation of drug therapy.


OBJECTIVE
To follow the progression of fenfluramine-associated valvular heart disease after discontinuation of therapy by using serial echocardiography.


METHODS
Retrospective cohort study.


METHODS
Regional medical center in Fargo, North Dakota.


METHODS
50 patients with previous exposure to fenfluramines who had at least mild mitral regurgitation or aortic regurgitation after exposure to fenfluramines on serial echocardiography between December 1994 and February 1999 (96% were female, mean body mass index was 36.6 kg/m(2), and mean duration of drug exposure was 447 days).


METHODS
Serial echocardiograms were reviewed by two echocardiographers who were blinded to the order of image acquisition. The severity of valvular regurgitation and presence or absence of valve leaflet restriction were assessed.


RESULTS
As described in the initial report, significant valvular disease on initial postexposure echocardiography was common in this cohort; 38 patients (76%) had at least mild mitral regurgitation and 43 patients (86%) had at least mild aortic regurgitation. On serial echocardiograms obtained an average of 356 days apart, mitral regurgitation improved by at least one grade in 17 patients (P = 0.001) and aortic regurgitation improved by at least one grade in 19 patients (P = 0.004). Nineteen and 22 patients, respectively, experienced no change in severity of mitral and aortic regurgitation. Two patients in each group experienced worsening of regurgitation by at least one grade. Results were similar for tricuspid (P = 0.002) and pulmonic (P = 0.012) regurgitation.


CONCLUSIONS
On serial echocardiography, fenfluramine-associated valvular regurgitation improved or remained stable in most patients after therapy ended. Worsening of valvular regurgitation was uncommon. The potential for stabilization or regression of valvular regurgitation should be taken into account when counseling patients and considering the need for and timing of valve surgery.
Mast
S T
ST
Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, NC 27715, USA.
Jollis
J G
JG
Ryan
T
T
Anstrom
K J
KJ
Crary
J L
JL
D000328:Adult; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001067:Appetite Depressants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D020372:Dexfenfluramine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018450:Disease Progression; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D005260:Female; D005277:Fenfluramine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018490:Serotonin Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*
D001067:Appetite Depressants; D018490:Serotonin Agents; D005277:Fenfluramine; D020372:Dexfenfluramine