Bromocriptine for an acromegalic patient. Improvement in cardiac function and carpal tunnel syndrome
R. Luboshitzky and D. Barzilai
A 64-year-old woman with active acromegaly of 33 years' duration, severe
carpal tunnel syndrome, and subclinical heart disease was treated with
bromocriptine mesylate. Within eight months of therapy, basal growth
hormone (GH) levels decreased from 90.0 to 7.0 ng/mL, and hand volume was
reduced from 375 to 295 mL. Concomitantly, echocardiographic studies showed
normal left ventricular size and function. Electromyographic studies
demonstrated normal function in both median nerves. Bromocriptine may
correct cardiac dysfunction and carpal tunnel syndrome in acromegaly either
by reduction of GH oversecretion or by a direct effect of bromocriptine on
dopamine receptors in the heart and peripheral nerve endings.
