Echocardiographic study in acromegalic patients.

To assess left ventricular function in acromegaly, M-mode echocardiograms were obtained from 25 patients with acromegaly (A). Echocardiographic tracings of the septum, posterior wall and anterior mitral valve leaflet were analyzed by computer and compared with those of 25 age matched normal subjects (C). Acromegalic patients had a marked increase of the septum, posterior wall thickness and left ventricular muscular mass (p < 0.001). Furthermore, in A an increased change of left ventricular dimension during isovolumic relaxation period (IRP) (p < 0.001), e prolongation of the duration of the IRP (p < 0.001 and a reduction of the percentage dimension change during the rapid filling period (p < 0.01) were shown. We suggest that impairment of some aspects of diastolic function is common and may be the primary abnormality in left ventricular function in acromegaly.