title: The risk of valvular regurgitation in patients with Parkinson's disease treated with dopamine receptor agonists.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Several observational studies suggest an association between treatment with ergoline-derived dopamine agonists and valvular regurgitation. In this article, we present an overview of the literature and conduct a meta-analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational studies addressing the frequency of moderate or severe valvular regurgitation among ergoline-treated patients with Parkinson's disease were considered for a meta-analysis. Pooled risk estimates and the risk of increased pulmonary artery pressure were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The pooling of data from well-designed observational studies documented that both pergolide (RR = 3.05 [1.71-5.44]) and cabergoline (RR = 6.38 [3.17-12.81]) represent a substantially increased risk of developing moderate to severe valvular regurgitation. In addition, pergolide, but not cabergoline, was associated with an increase in pulmonary artery pressure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present meta-analysis confirmed a statistically significant association between pergolide and cabergoline treatment and the risk of moderate to severe valvular regurgitation. An association between bromocriptine and valvular regurgitation cannot be entirely ruled out.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby, Denmark. vibeke.guldbrand@ki.au.dk
authors.forename: Vibeke Guldbrand
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Østergaard
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dupont
authors.forename: Steen Hvitfeldt
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Poulsen
mesh_terms: D016208:Databases, Factual / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D019370:Observation; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D018491:Dopamine Agonists