Summary
Background. Acromegalic cardiomyopathy is a specific cardiac pathology associated with acromegaly, a rare endocrine disorder characterized by excessive production of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Patients with this condition exhibit metabolic changes which lead to changes, alterations in internal organs, and significant cardiovascular changes. Acromegaly is often diagnosed only after cardiac issues have already manifested. Effective control of GH/IGF-1 levels through medical, surgical, or radiological interventions is essential to slow down or halt the progression of acromegalic cardiomyopathy. Optimal treatment outcomes are achieved through the collaborative care of a multidisciplinary team, including endocrinologists, cardiologists, and neurosurgeons.
Case Report. This case describes a patient diagnosed with acromegalic cardiomyopathy. Recurrent angina-type chest pain—pain occurring during physical exertion, radiating to the left arm, lasting about 20 minutes, and resolving on its own—reappeared in June 2024 then the patient sought emergency care at a hospital. Suspecting unstable angina, the patient was admitted to the cardiology department, where, after evaluating the patient’s medical history, phenotypic features, and conducting additional imaging studies, a diagnosis of acromegalic cardiomyopathy was confirmed.
Conclusions. This clinical case shows that non-specific cardiac changes in combination with the patient’s phenotype can help to establish the primary diagnosis. Although the patient exhibited phenotypic facial and body changes, the diagnosis of acromegaly, has been undiagnosed for a long time, due to the slow progression of the disease and nonspecific complaints. It is well known that untreated acromegaly leads to decreased quality of life and 2–3 times higher mortality than the general population. Acromegalic cardiomyopathy is one of the leading causes of mortality among acromegaly patients. Therefore, thorough diagnostic evaluation and aggressive treatment are essential, as they determine the patient’s long-term prognosis and quality of life.
