Evaluation of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Patients with Strain Echocardiography

Abstract

IntroductionPolycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a disorder of the reproductive system and is seen in 5 to 10% of the women in reproductive ages (1). Its main features are hyperandrogenism both clinical or biochemical and/or chronic oligo-anovulation and/or ultrasonographic appearance of the polycystic ovaries (2). There are many studies showing the relationship between PCOS and Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD). Insulin resistance, obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hypercoagulability, and endothelial dysfunction can be seen frequently in PCOS patients along with increased cardiovascular risks (3). Previously published data show that coronary atherosclerosis and increased carotid intima-media thickness can be observed in PCOS (4). The aim of our study was to determine the effects of metabolic factors on myocardial functions in PCOS patients, by measuring the strain (S) and strain rate (SR) as means of quantification of myocardial functions, which were first described by Heimdal et al. to define the global and regional myocardial dysfunction (5), and to identify the possible subclinical impairment of left ventricular myocardial function because of the metabolic components of PCOS. Materials and Methods Study populationThis study was carried out with 26 PCOS patients referred to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic of Baskent University Hospital between December 2008 and September 2009 and 23 healthy female volunteers as control group. The PCOS patients were diagnosed in accordance with 2003 Rotterdam criteria (2). There were neither menstrual cycle abnormalities nor hyperandrogenism in the control group both clinically and biochemically. Clinical symptoms of hyperandrogenism were acne and/or hirsutism. A score higher than 7 based on the modified Ferriman-Gallwey Scale was noted as hirsutism. Any disease other than PCOS including hypertension, diabetes, thyroid function abnormalities, Cushing syndrome, asthma, and other auto-immune diseases, and all medical conditions which caused regular drug use were exclusion criteria for our study. All participants signed the informed consent before enrolling in our study. A physical examination with a detailed anamnesis including body weight and height were performed in all participants. Body Mass Index (BMI) was determined as body weight (kilograms) divided by height (meters) squared. AbstractObjectives: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by several metabolic abnormalities that may lead to insulin resistance, diabetes, and atherosclerosis which are associated with chronic inflammatory processes and oxidative stress. Due to this fact PCOS patients are at increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. We used echocardiographic quantification tools to detect subclinical changes in myocardial functions. Materials and Methods:Echocardiographic, hormonal and metabolic measurements were performed in twenty-six women with PCOS and twenty-three healthy volunteers. The age of the attendants ranged between 20 and 31 years. PCOS was diagnosed by using the Rotterdam criteria. ...