Increased prevalence of tricuspid regurgitation in patients with prolactinomas chronically treated with cabergoline.
BACKGROUND
Cabergoline, a dopamine receptor-2 agonist used to treat prolactinomas, was associated with increased risk of cardiac valve disease in Parkinson's disease.


OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to evaluate prevalence of cardiac valve regurgitation in cabergoline-treated patients with prolactinomas.


METHODS
An observational, case-control study was conducted at a university hospital.


METHODS
Fifty treated patients (44 women and six men) and 50 sex- and age-matched control subjects participated; 20 de novo patients were also studied.


METHODS
In the treated patients, the last cabergoline dose was 1.3 +/- 1.3 mg/wk (<1 mg/wk in 44%, 1-3 mg/wk in 46%, and >3 mg/wk in 10%). Treatment duration was 12-60 months in 32% and more than 60 months in 68%. The cumulative (milligrams x months of treatment) dose of cabergoline ranged from 32-1938 mg (median 280 mg).


METHODS
Valve regurgitation was assessed according to the recommendations of the American Society of Echocardiography.


RESULTS
In de novo patients, treated patients, and controls, the prevalence of mild regurgitation of mitral (35, 22, and 12%, P = 0.085), aortic (0, 4, and 2%, P = 0.59), tricuspid (55, 30, and 42%, P = 0.13) or pulmonic (20, 12, and 6%, P = 0.22) valves was similar. Conversely, the prevalence of moderate tricuspid regurgitation was higher in the treated patients (54%) than in de novo patients (0%) and controls (18%, P < 0.0001). Moderate tricuspid regurgitation was more frequent in patients receiving a cumulative dose above the median (72%) than in those receiving a lower dose (36%, P = 0.023). A higher systolic (P = 0.03) and diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.0001) was found in patients with than in those without moderate tricuspid regurgitation.


CONCLUSIONS
Moderate tricuspid regurgitation is more frequent in patients taking cabergoline (at higher cumulative doses) than in de novo patients and control subjects, but the clinical significance of this finding has not been established. A complete echocardiographic assessment is indicated in patients treated long term with cabergoline, particularly in those requiring elevated doses.
Colao
Annamaria
A
Department of Molecular and Clinical Endocrinology and Oncology, Federico II University, via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy. colao@unina.it
Galderisi
Maurizio
M
Di Sarno
Antonella
A
Pardo
Moira
M
Gaccione
Maria
M
D'Andrea
Marianna
M
Guerra
Ermelinda
E
Pivonello
Rosario
R
Lerro
Giuseppe
G
Lombardi
Gaetano
G
D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000077465:Cabergoline; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004873:Ergolines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015995:Prevalence; D015175:Prolactinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D014262:Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014463:Ultrasonography
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004873:Ergolines; D000077465:Cabergoline