Relief of sleep apnea in acromegaly by bromocriptine

A patient with longstanding acromegaly complicated by sleep apnea was treated with bromocriptine prior to surgery. In addition to a significant reduction of the plasma growth hormone concentration and measurable decrease in acral overgrowth, a dramatic improvement of the sleep apnea was observed. Af...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:The American journal of the medical sciences 1988, Vol.295 (1), p.49-51
Main Authors: ZIEMER, D. C, DUNLAP, D. B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acromegaly - complications
Acromegaly - therapy
Biological and medical sciences
Bromocriptine - therapeutic use
Endocrinopathies
Growth Hormone - blood
Humans
Hypothalamus. Hypophysis. Epiphysis (diseases)
Male
Malignant tumors
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Preoperative Care
Sleep Apnea Syndromes - drug therapy
Sleep Apnea Syndromes - etiology
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:A patient with longstanding acromegaly complicated by sleep apnea was treated with bromocriptine prior to surgery. In addition to a significant reduction of the plasma growth hormone concentration and measurable decrease in acral overgrowth, a dramatic improvement of the sleep apnea was observed. After three months of therapy, the amount of sleep time occupied by apneic episodes fell from 48 to 12%. The response indicates: (a) that the sequelae sleep apnea in acromegaly can be improved even when ablative therapy of the pituitary is impossible and (b) bromocriptine may prevent perioperative complications caused by clinically significant airway obstruction in patients with acromegaly.
ISSN:0002-9629
1538-2990
DOI:10.1097/00000441-198801000-00010