Cabergoline therapy for prolactinomas: is valvular heart disease a real safety concern? 2010

Sophie Vallette, and Karim Serri, and Omar Serri
Department of Endocrinology, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Hôpital Notre-Dame, 1560 Sherbrooke East, Montreal, QC, H2L 4M1, Canada.

Dopamine agonists (DAs) are the first-line therapy for the treatment of hyperprolactinemia, with cabergoline, an ergot-derived selective D(2)-receptor agonist, being the preferred and most widely used drug. Recent studies reported cardiac valve regurgitations in patients with Parkinson's disease treated with high doses of DA, raising concerns about the safety of cabergoline in patients with hyperprolactinemia. To date, seven case-control studies have examined the potential association between cardiac valvular abnormalities and cabergoline therapy in patients with hyperprolactinemia. Overall, a total of 463 patients exposed to low doses of cabergoline (mean cumulative doses: 204-443 mg) for a mean duration of 45-79 months have been included in these studies. Patients in all the studies were asymptomatic without clinical signs of cardiac disease. Six studies did not show any association between cabergoline therapy and clinically relevant valvular regurgitation, whereas one study found an increased rate of moderate tricuspid regurgitation. In this report, we review and discuss the results of these studies and emphasize the limitations of the methodology used in the published literature. The clinical significance of the present findings has yet to be confirmed by future larger prospective studies with rigorous echocardiographic protocols and prolonged duration of follow-up.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D010911 Pituitary Neoplasms Neoplasms which arise from or metastasize to the PITUITARY GLAND. The majority of pituitary neoplasms are adenomas, which are divided into non-secreting and secreting forms. Hormone producing forms are further classified by the type of hormone they secrete. Pituitary adenomas may also be characterized by their staining properties (see ADENOMA, BASOPHIL; ADENOMA, ACIDOPHIL; and ADENOMA, CHROMOPHOBE). Pituitary tumors may compress adjacent structures, including the HYPOTHALAMUS, several CRANIAL NERVES, and the OPTIC CHIASM. Chiasmal compression may result in bitemporal HEMIANOPSIA. Pituitary Cancer,Cancer of Pituitary,Cancer of the Pituitary,Pituitary Adenoma,Pituitary Carcinoma,Pituitary Tumors,Adenoma, Pituitary,Adenomas, Pituitary,Cancer, Pituitary,Cancers, Pituitary,Carcinoma, Pituitary,Carcinomas, Pituitary,Neoplasm, Pituitary,Neoplasms, Pituitary,Pituitary Adenomas,Pituitary Cancers,Pituitary Carcinomas,Pituitary Neoplasm,Pituitary Tumor,Tumor, Pituitary,Tumors, Pituitary
D002986 Clinical Trials as Topic Works about pre-planned studies of the safety, efficacy, or optimum dosage schedule (if appropriate) of one or more diagnostic, therapeutic, or prophylactic drugs, devices, or techniques selected according to predetermined criteria of eligibility and observed for predefined evidence of favorable and unfavorable effects. This concept includes clinical trials conducted both in the U.S. and in other countries. Clinical Trial as Topic
D004873 Ergolines A series of structurally-related alkaloids that contain the ergoline backbone structure. Ergoline
D005260 Female Females
D006349 Heart Valve Diseases Pathological conditions involving any of the various HEART VALVES and the associated structures (PAPILLARY MUSCLES and CHORDAE TENDINEAE). Heart Valvular Disease,Valvular Heart Diseases,Disease, Heart Valvular,Heart Disease, Valvular,Heart Valve Disease,Heart Valvular Diseases,Valve Disease, Heart,Valvular Disease, Heart,Valvular Heart Disease
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000077465 Cabergoline An ergoline derivative and dopamine D2-agonist that inhibits PROLACTIN secretion. It is used in the management of HYPERPROLACTINEMIA, and to suppress lactation following childbirth for medical reasons. Cabergoline is also used in the management of PARKINSON DISEASE. 1-((6-allylergolin-8beta-yl)carbonyl)-1-(3-(dimethylamino)propyl)-3-ethylurea,1-Ethyl-2-(3'-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-(6'-allylergoline-8'-beta-carbonyl)urea diphosphate,Cabaser,Cabaseril,Cabergoline Diphosphate,Dostinex,FCE 21336,FCE-21336,Galastop
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults

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