Relief of sleep apnea in acromegaly by bromocriptine.

A patient with longstanding acromegaly complicated by sleep apnea was treated with bromocriptine prior to surgery. In addition to a significant reduction of the plasma growth hormone concentration and measurable decrease in acral overgrowth, a dramatic improvement of the sleep apnea was observed. After three months of therapy, the amount of sleep time occupied by apneic episodes fell from 48 to 12%. The response indicates: (a) that the sequelae sleep apnea in acromegaly can be improved even when ablative therapy of the pituitary is impossible and (b) bromocriptine may prevent perioperative complications caused by clinically significant airway obstruction in patients with acromegaly.