Growth hormone and cardiovascular risk markers.
The association of hypopituitarism and growth hormone (GH) deficiency with increased cardiovascular mortality has become increasingly well established. In GH-deficient adults, whether the onset of disease is in childhood or in adult life, a higher prevalence of atherosclerotic plaques and endothelial dysfunction has been described. Of note, high-resolution ultrasonography has shown that patients with hypopituitarism have a higher prevalence of premature atherosclerosis even in the absence of clinical symptoms. Specific anatomic abnormalities also have been described in adults with GH deficiency, including an increase in intimal-medial wall thickness. The contribution of specific hormonal factors and prior irradiation to the development of vascular disease remains controversial.
Klibanski
Anne
A
Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, BUL457B, Boston, MA 02114, USA. aklibanski@partners.org
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000172:deficiency*; D006801:Humans; D007018:Hypopituitarism / Q000150:complications*; D012307:Risk Factors
D013006:Growth Hormone