[Standard electrocardiography and Holter monitoring changes in acromegalic patients].
Aberrations in circulation related to improper thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal and gonadal function were well researched and recognized. Our knowledge of relation between growth hormone and cardiovascular system is somewhat limited.


OBJECTIVE
Our attention was describe occurring in acromegaly complications of cardiovascular function detectable by standard 12-lead ECG and 24-hour Hotter monitoring.


METHODS
Our research compared 28 patients (15 with hypertension among them) with acromegaly with mean 10-years duration of disease, 20 patients with hypertension and 20 normal subjects. All subjects underwent physical examination followed by standard resting ecg and 24-hour Holter monitoring. Several different ECG parameters were compared: heart reate, arrhythmia (in Holter), times of QRS, QT and QTc intervals and features of atrial and ventricle hypertrophy.


RESULTS
Result of this comparison indicates presence of substantial electric cardiac disturbances in acromegaly patients. Patients with acromegaly have substantial QT and QTc prolongation. ECG analysis showed QRS complex prolongation in this group. Much often they had supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias. Those are complex aberrances which may have important implications for patient's well-being.


CONCLUSIONS
In acromegaly patients significant electrical heart function disturbances were shown. These could be threatening for their life. This group should be early monitored by cardiologist.
Twardowski
Romuald
R
Slska Akademia Medyczna w Katowicach, Katedra i Klinika Kardiologii.
Dabek
Józefa
J
Jakubowski
Daniel
D
Gasior
Zbigniew
Z
D000172:Acromegaly / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006332:Cardiomegaly / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D015716:Electrocardiography, Ambulatory; D005260:Female; D006329:Heart Conduction System; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged