[Aortic insufficiency under weak doses of cabergoline for non-tumoral hyperprolactinemia]

Author(s): Belleville I, Chague F, Petit JM, Boujon B

Affiliation(s): Service d'endocrinologie et maladies metaboliques, CHU de Dijon, hopital du Bocage, boulevard Mal-de-Lattre-de-Tassigny, BP 77908, 21034 Dijon cedex, France. belleville.pro@wanadoo.fr

Publication date & source: 2007-12, Ann Endocrinol (Paris)., 68(6):464-6. Epub 2007 Oct 1.

Publication type: Case Reports; English Abstract

Used in its neurological indication, cabergoline is known to induce cardiac valve regurgitations, essentially mitral and aortic valvular diseases, by its action on the 5HT2b receptors. Until now, it was assumed that the dose and the duration of exposure were the major factors of appearance. We describe a case of aortic insufficiency which developed in a patient given low doses of cabergoline (0.5 mg weekly) for non-tumoral hyperprolactinemia. Because of previous use of appetite suppressants and of bromocriptine, the exclusive responsibility of cabergoline remained uncertain. The potential gravity of these valvular heart diseases emphasizes the importance of careful cardiologic examination before and during treatment.