Valvular heart disease in pergolide-treated Parkinson's disease.
BACKGROUND
A 61-year-old woman with Parkinson's disease, receiving pergolide 1.75 mg four times daily, was admitted with progressive dyspnea.


METHODS
Investigations revealed mitral and aortic regurgitation. She underwent surgical mitral replacement and aortic repair, but had a post-operative course characterized by repeated bouts of congestive heart failure.


RESULTS
Severe tricuspid valve (TV) regurgitation developed within one month after the TV was reported on echocardiography to be relatively normal. Subsequent discontinuation of pergolide was associated with symptomatic improvement.


CONCLUSIONS
This case illustrates the severity and rapidity with which cardiac valvular abnormalities can develop in patients receiving pergolide.
Scozzafava
James
J
Division of Neurology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Takahashi
Jennifer
J
Johnston
Wendy
W
Puttagunta
Lakshmi
L
Martin
W R Wayne
WR
D000368:Aged; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010479:Pergolide / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D010479:Pergolide