Cabergoline use for pituitary tumors and valvular disorders

Abstract

Cabergoline (CAB) is widely used for the medical treatment of pituitary tumors, particularly those associated with hormone hypersecretion. Whether treatment with CAB is associated with an increased risk of clinically relevant cardiac valve disease in patients with pituitary tumors is still debated. In most studies, CAB has been found not associated with an increased risk of significant valvulopathy, and no correlation has been shown between valvular abnormalities and CAB duration or cumulative dose. This review provides an overview of the studies reporting on the outcome of CAB in terms of cardiac valve disease in patients with pituitary tumors.

Keywords: Acromegaly; Cabergoline; Cardiac valve disease; Cushing’s disease; Dopamine-agonists; Pituitary adenoma; Prolactinoma.