Treatment with low doses of cabergoline is not associated with increased prevalence of cardiac valve regurgitation in patients with hyperprolactinaemia.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Dopamine agonists have been reported to increase the risk of cardiac valve regurgitation in patients with Parkinson's disease. However, it is unknown whether these drugs might be harmful for patients with hyperprolactinaemia (HyperPRL). The aim of the study was to evaluate whether HyperPRL patients treated with dopamine agonists had a higher prevalence of cardiac valves regurgitation than that of general population.

METHODS AND PATIENTS: One hundred consecutive patients (79 women, 21 men, mean age 41 +/- 13 years) with HyperPRL during treatment with cabergoline were enrolled in an observational case-control study and compared with 100 matched normal subjects (controls). Valve regurgitation was assessed by echocardiography according to the American Society of Echocardiography recommendations.

RESULTS

Seven HyperPRL patients (7%) and six controls (6%) had moderate (grade 3) regurgitation in any valve (p = 0.980). All were asymptomatic and had no signs of cardiac disease. Mean duration of cabergoline treatment was 67 +/- 39 months (range: 3-199 months). Mean cumulative dose of cabergoline was 279 +/- 301 mg (range: 15-1327 mg). Moderate valve regurgitation was not associated with the duration of treatment (p = 0.359), with cumulative dose of cabergoline (p = 0.173), with age (p = 0.281), with previous treatment with bromocriptine (p = 0.673) or previous adenomectomy (p = 0.497) in patients with HyperPRL.

DISCUSSION: In conclusion, treatment with cabergoline was not associated with increased prevalence of cardiac valves regurgitation in patients with HyperPRL. Mean cumulative dose of cabergoline was lower in patients with HyperPRL than that reported to be deleterious for patients with Parkinson's disease: hence, longer follow-up is necessary, particularly in patients receiving weekly doses > 3 mg.