Article PDF first page preview

First page of Prevalence and Characteristics of Heart Disease in Patients with Acromegaly in Colombia (RAPACO HEART Study)

Introduction: Acromegaly is a chronic disorder characterized by excessive secretion of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor type 1 (IGF-1), resulting in multisystem involvement. Cardiovascular complications affect up to 80% of cases and represent a major concern in advanced stages of the disease. This study aims to determine the prevalence of acromegalic heart disease (AHD) and identify factors associated with its development in a Colombian population. Objective: To evaluate the characteristics of AHD in patients with acromegaly in Colombia. Methods: A retrospective, multicenter case-control study was carried out using data from the national RAPACO registry. Patients aged 16 years or older with confirmed acromegaly and an available echocardiogram were included. AHD was defined by structural or functional cardiac abnormalities attributable to acromegaly. Results: A total of 193 patients with acromegaly were analyzed; 61 (31.6%) had AHD. Compared with the non-AHD group, these patients were older, had a 4.5 cm larger abdominal perimeter, and a median time from disease onset to diagnosis of 8 years (versus 6 years in those without AHD). Among the 61 AHD cases, the most frequent finding was isolated left ventricular hypertrophy (n=32, 52.4%), followed by biventricular hypertrophy (n=12, 19.7%), valvulopathy (n=4, 6.6%), and combined LVH with valvulopathy (n=4, 6.6%). GH and IGF-1 levels were modestly higher in AHD patients. In multivariate analysis, arterial hypertension showed an odds ratio (OR) of 1.75 (95% CI 0.67–4.65) for AHD, while carpal tunnel syndrome significantly increased the odds of AHD (OR 3.81, p=0.01, 95% CI 1.36–11.14). Conclusions: Despite therapeutic advances, AHD remains common in Colombian patients with acromegaly. Notably, carpal tunnel syndrome was independently associated with AHD, alongside hypertension, arrhythmias, and diabetes. These findings underscore the need for proactive cardiovascular screening and management strategies in this patient population.

Journal Section:
Cardiovascular Prevention
This content is only available via PDF.
S. Karger AG, Basel
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
2025
You do not currently have access to this content.