Introduction. Acromegaly is an endocrine pathology characterized by the overproduction
of human growth hormone. The present study aimed to analyze three-dimensional speckle-tracking
echocardiography (3DSTE)-derived tricuspid annular (TA) properties in detail in patients
with acromegaly and to compare the findings to those of matched healthy controls.
Methods. The present study consisted of 29 patients with acromegaly (mean age: 55.9
± 14.5 years, 21 males), of which 13 had an active disease. The control population
comprised 57 healthy subjects (mean age: 53.2 ± 8.4 years, 38 males). Results. In
the presence of acromegaly, left atrial and end-diastolic left ventricular (LV) sizes
were dilated, and LV ejection fraction was increased, which was accompanied by thickened
interventricular septum and LV posterior wall as compared with matched healthy controls.
The presence of grade 1 mitral (MR) and tricuspid (TR) regurgitations were more frequent
in acromegaly than in controls, regardless of disease activity. Higher than grade
1 MR/TR was uncommon in acromegaly. The 3DSTE-derived all end-diastolic (2.47 ± 0.27
cm vs. 2.23 ± 0.27 cm; 8.73 ± 1.77 cm2 vs. 6.67 ± 1.40 cm2; 11.56 ± 1.34 cm vs. 10.20
± 1.10 cm, p < 0.001 for all) and end-systolic (1.97 ± 0.27 cm vs. 1.77 ± 0.28 cm;
6.24 ± 1.61 cm2 vs. 5.01 ± 1.42 cm2; 9.80 ± 1.35 cm vs. 8.72 ± 1.10 cm, p < 0.001
for all) TA diameters, areas, and perimeters proved to be dilated, while TA functional
parameters including TA fractional area change (28.77 ± 9.80% vs. 27.64 ± 15.34%,
p = 0.720) and fractional shortening (20.60 ± 9.08% vs. 20.51 ± 8.81%, p = 0.822)
were normal in acromegaly regardless of whether acromegaly was active or not. RA volumes
respecting the cardiac cycle were dilated in acromegaly as compared with those of
healthy controls regardless of disease activity and were associated with respective
changes in TA dimensions. Conclusions. In the presented acromegaly patients, significant
TA dilation with preserved function could be detected regardless of disease activity.
RA volumes and TA dimensions are correlated in acromegaly.
