Efeitos da cirurgia bariátrica na estrutura e na função do ventrículo esquerdo / Effects of bariatric surgery on left ventricular structure and function

Fundamentos: A obesidade está associada a alterações estruturais e funcionais do ventrículo esquerdo (VE). A cirurgia bariátrica tem o potencial de reverter tais achados. Os efeitos do procedimento nas funções diastólica e sistólica do VE não foram claramente definidos. O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar as alterações na estrutura e funções sistólica e diastólica do ventrículo esquerdo de pacientes obesos que se submeteram à cirurgia bariátrica. Métodos: Foram avaliados 23 pacientes (16 mulheres e 7 homens, com idade média de 32,9 ± 8,9 anos), com índice de massa corporal ≥ 40 kg/m2 , que foram submetidos à derivação gástrica em Y de Roux (RYGB). As avaliações clínicas eecocardiográficas foram realizadas no pré-operatório e em 3 a 7 meses após a cirurgia. Resultados: Após período médio de seguimento de 4,7 meses, foram observadas reduções significativas no índice de massa corporal (de 46,7 ± 5,3 para 36,2 ± 4,7 kg/m2 ; p < 0,001); na espessura do septo interventricular(de 10,3 ± 1,4 para 8,9 ± 1,2 mm); na parede posterior do VE (de 9,3 ± 1,3 para 8,4 ± 1,1 mm; p < 0,001) e na massa do VE (valor absoluto: de 168,7 ± 35,2 para 149,8 ± 40,7 g, p = 0,008; indexada pela altura: de 45,1 ± 11,3 para 39,7 ± 10,3, p = 0,006). A geometria normal do VE foi observada em 60,9% dos pacientes antes da cirurgia e em 91,3% no período de seguimento. O Doppler tecidual revelou melhora na função diastólica do VE (velocidade de onda E’ mitral lateral, 0,16 ± 0,03 no pré-operatório contra 0,17 ± 0,03 m/s no seguimento; p = 0,026). No pós‑operatório, não houve diferença significativa na função sistólica do VE. Conclusões: Após um seguimento médio de 4,7 meses, a cirurgia bariátrica promoveu melhora na estrutura ventricular esquerda e em um dos parâmetros da função diastólica (velocidade de E’). Não houve alterações nos parâmetros sistólicos do ventrículo esquerdo.

Background: Obesity is associated with changes in left ventricular (LV) structure and function. Bariatric surgery can favorably improve cardiac remodeling. The effects of the procedure in LV diastolic and systolic function have not been clearly defined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in left ventricular structure, systolic and diastolic function in obese patients who have undergone bariatric surgery.Methods: We evaluated 23 patients (16 women, seven men; age, 32.9 ± 8.9 years) with body mass index > 40 kg/m2 who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Clinical and echocardiographic evaluations were performed preoperatively and 3–7 months after surgery. Results: After a mean follow-up of 4.7 months, significant reductions were observed in body mass index (from 46.7 ± 5.3 to 36.2 ± 4.7 kg/m2; p< 0.001); thickness of the interventricular septum (from 10.3 ± 1.4 to 8.9 ± 1.2 mm); LV posterior wall (from 9.3 ± 1.3 to 8.4 ± 1.1mm; p < 0.001) and LV mass (absolute value: from 168.7 ± 35.2 to 149.8 ± 40.7 g, p = 0.008; indexed by height: from 45.1 ± 11.3 to 39.7 ± 10.3, p = 0.006). Normal LV geometry was observed in 60.9% of patients before surgery and in 91.3% at follow-up. Tissue Doppler imaging revealed improved LV diastolic function (mitral E’ lateral 0.16 ± 0.03 preoperatively vs. 0.17 ± 0.03 m/s at follow-up; p = 0.026). Postoperatively, there was no significant difference in LV systolic function. Conclusions: After a mean follow-up of 4,7 months, bariatric surgery promoted improvement in left ventricular structure and in one of the parameters of diastolic function (E’ velocity). There were no changes in left ventricular systolic parameters.

Second Attempt of Cabergoline Withdrawal in Patients with Prolactinomas after a Failed First Attempt: Is it Worthwhile?

Successful discontinuation of cabergoline (CAB) treatment has been reported in 31-75% of prolactinomas patients treated for at least 2 years. In contrast, it is not well established whether CAB therapy can be successfully withdrawn after a failed first attempt. This prospective open trial was designed to address this topic and to try to identify possible predictor factors. Among 180 patients with prolactinomas on CAB therapy, the authors selected those who fulfilled very strict criteria, particularly additional CAB therapy for at least 2 years, normalization of serum prolactin (PRL) levels following CAB restart, no tumor remnant >10 mm, no previous pituitary radiotherapy or surgery; and current CAB dose ≤1.0 mg/week. Recurrence was defined as an increase of PRL levels above the upper limit of normal. A total of 34 patients (70.6% female) treated with CAB for 24-30 months were recruited. Ten patients (29.4%) remained without evidence of recurrence after 24-26 months of follow-up. Twenty-four patients (70.6%) recurred within 15 months (75% within 12 months) after drug withdrawal and ~80% were restarted CAB. Median time to recurrence was 10.5 months (range, 3-15). Despite overlapping values, non-recurring patients had significantly lower mean PRL levels before withdrawal. Moreover, the recurrence rate was lower in subjects without visible tumor on pituitary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) than in those with small remnant tumor (60 vs. 79%), though the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.20). No other characteristic could be identified as a predictor of successful CAB discontinuation. In conclusion, a second attempt of CAB withdrawal after two additional years of therapy may be successful, particularly in patients with lower PRL levels and no visible tumor on pituitary MRI. Close monitoring of PRL level is mandatory, especially within the first year after withdrawal, where most recurrences are detected.

Can we predict long-term remission after somatostatin analog withdrawal in patients with acromegaly? Results from a multicenter prospective trial.

Somatostatin analogs (SSAs) represent the mainstay of therapy in acromegaly. One of the potential disadvantages is the expected need to maintain therapy indefinitely in previously non-irradiated patients. The aim of this multicenter prospective open trial was to evaluate the likelihood of successful discontinuation of SSA therapy in well-controlled acromegalic patients who fulfilled very strict criteria: two or more years of treatment with the long-acting SSA octreotide LAR (OCT-LAR), a stable dose and injections interval every 4 weeks or longer for the previous year, GH levels <2.5 ng/ml and normal IGF-1 levels for age, a tumor remnant <10 mm, no history of radiotherapy, and no use of cabergoline or pegvisomant over the previous 6 months. Disease recurrence was defined as an increase of IGF-1 to levels above 1.2-fold the upper limit of normal (ULN). Out of 220 patients, 20 patients (12 women and 8 men; mean age, 48.1 ± 10.3 years; age range, 27-64) treated for 2.74 ± 0.64 years (range, 2.0-4.4) were included in this prospective study and OCT-LAR therapy was stopped. Four patients (20 %) remained without clinical and biochemical/neuroradiological evidence of disease recurrence after 12-18 months of follow-up. Sixteen patients (80 %) relapsed biochemically within 9 months after drug withdrawal and restarted OCT-LAR at the same previous dose. Compared to recurring subjects, non-recurring patients had significantly lower mean IGF-1 (× ULN) levels but there were some overlapping values in both groups. No other characteristic could be identified as a predictor of successful OCT-LAR discontinuation. Our findings demonstrated that OCT-LAR withdrawal, though rare, is possible in well-selected acromegalic patients treated for at least 2 years and considered optimally controlled in hormonal and neuroradiological terms.

Spontaneous remission of hypercortisolism presumed due to asymptomatic tumor apoplexy in ACTH-producing pituitary macroadenoma.

Cushing's disease (CD) is usually caused by secretion of ACTH by a pituitary corticotroph microadenoma. Nevertheless, 7%-20% of patients present with ACTH-secreting macroadenomas. Our aim is to report a 36-year-old female patient with CD due to solid-cystic ACTH-macroadenoma followed up during 34 months. The patient presented spontaneous remission due to presumed asymptomatic tumor apoplexy. She showed typical signs and symptoms of Cushing's syndrome (CS). Initial tests were consistent with ACTH-dependent CS: elevated urinary free cortisol, abnormal serum cortisol after low dose dexamethasone suppression test, and elevated midnight salivary cortisol, associated with high plasma ACTH levels. Pituitary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a sellar mass of 1.2 x 0.8 x 0.8 cm of diameter with supra-sellar extension leading to slight chiasmatic impingement, and showing hyperintensity on T2-weighted imaging, suggesting a cystic component. She had no visual impairment. After two months, while waiting for pituitary surgery, she presented spontaneous resolution of CS. Tests were consistent with remission of hypercortisolism: normal 24-h total urinary cortisol and normal midnight salivary cortisol. Pituitary MRI showed shrinkage of the tumor with disappearance of the chiasmatic compression. She has been free from the disease for 28 months (without hypercortisolism or hypopituitarism). The hormonal and imaging data suggested that silent apoplexy of pituitary tumor led to spontaneous remission of CS. However, recurrence of CS was described in cases following pituitary apoplexy. Therefore, careful long-term follow-up is required.

Spontaneous remission of hypercortisolism presumed due to asymptomatic tumor apoplexy in ACTH-producing pituitary macroadenoma / Remissão espontânea do hipercortisolismo devido a provável apoplexia tumoral assintomática em paciente com macroadenoma produtor de ACTH

Cushing's disease (CD) is usually caused by secretion of ACTH by a pituitary corticotroph microadenoma. Nevertheless, 7%-20% of patients present with ACTH-secreting macroadenomas. Our aim is to report a 36-year-old female patient with CD due to solid-cystic ACTH-macroadenoma followed up during 34 months. The patient presented spontaneous remission due to presumed asymptomatic tumor apoplexy. She showed typical signs and symptoms of Cushing's syndrome (CS). Initial tests were consistent with ACTH-dependent CS: elevated urinary free cortisol, abnormal serum cortisol after low dose dexamethasone suppression test, and elevated midnight salivary cortisol, associated with high plasma ACTH levels. Pituitary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a sellar mass of 1.2 x 0.8 x 0.8 cm of diameter with supra-sellar extension leading to slight chiasmatic impingement, and showing hyperintensity on T2-weighted imaging, suggesting a cystic component. She had no visual impairment. After two months, while waiting for pituitary surgery, she presented spontaneous resolution of CS. Tests were consistent with remission of hypercortisolism: normal 24-h total urinary cortisol and normal midnight salivary cortisol. Pituitary MRI showed shrinkage of the tumor with disappearance of the chiasmatic compression. She has been free from the disease for 28 months (without hypercortisolism or hypopituitarism). The hormonal and imaging data suggested that silent apoplexy of pituitary tumor led to spontaneous remission of CS. However, recurrence of CS was described in cases following pituitary apoplexy. Therefore, careful long-term follow-up is required.

A doença de Cushing (DC) é usualmente causada por um microadenoma produtor de ACTH. Entretanto, 7%-20% dos pacientes apresentam um macroadenoma. O objetivo deste trabalho é reportar uma paciente de 36 anos, feminina, com diagnóstico de DC devido a macroadenoma hipofisário sólido-cístico com seguimento de 34 meses que apresentou remissão espontânea presumidamente em decorrência de uma apoplexia tumoral assintomática. Inicialmente, ela apresentava sinais e sintomas típicos da síndrome de Cushing (SC). Na admissão, os testes foram consistentes com o diagnóstico de SC ACTH-dependente: cortisol urinário livre de 24h elevado, não supressão do cortisol sérico após dose baixa de dexametasona e cortisol salivar noturno elevado, associado a concentrações elevadas do ACTH plasmático. Ressonância magnética (RM) de hipófise revelou uma massa selar de 1.2 x 0.8 x 0.8 cm com extensão suprasselar levando a uma discreta compressão do quiasma óptico e mostrando região de hipersinal na imagem ponderada em T2 sugerindo um componente cístico. A paciente não apresentava queixas visuais. Após dois meses, enquanto aguardava o tratamento cirúrgico, a paciente apresentou remissão espontânea da SC. A repetição dos exames indicou remissão do hipercortisolismo: normalização do cortisol urinário livre de 24h e normalização do cortisol salivar noturno. Nova RM de hipófise revelou redução do volume tumoral com desaparecimento da compressão quiasmática. A paciente permanece livre da doença por 28 meses (sem hipercortisolismo ou hipopituitarismo). Os dados hormonais e de imagem sugerem que tenha ocorrido uma apoplexia tumoral assintomática, levando à remissão espontânea da SC. Entretanto, como há relatos de recorrência após apoplexia hipofisária, cuidadoso seguimento a longo prazo faz-se necessário.