Atrial conduction times and left atrium mechanical functions in patients with active acromegaly

The aim of this study was to evaluate atrial electromechanical delay (EMD), P wave dispersion (Pwd), and left atrial (LA) mechanical functions in patients with active acromegaly. Twenty-three patients with active acromegaly and 27 age- and sex-matched controls were included in this study. All atrial electromechanical interval parameters (PA lateral, PA septum, PA tricuspid, interatrial EMD, intra-LA EMD, and intra-right atrial EMD) were measured from mitral lateral annulus, mitral septal annulus, and right ventricular tricuspid annulus by tissue Doppler imaging. LA volumes were measured by the disk method in the apical four-chamber view and were indexed to the body surface area. Mechanical function parameters of LA were calculated. Pwd was performed by 12-lead electrocardiograms. Atrial electromechanical intervals (PA lateral, PA septum, PA tricuspid, interatrial EMD, intra-LA EMD, and intra-right atrial EMD) and Pwd were similar between patients with acromegaly and control subjects (all p > 0.05). LA volumes (maximum, minimum, and presystolic) and LA mechanical functions were not significantly different between the groups (all p > 0.05). Additionally, serum levels of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1 were not correlated with atrial electromechanical parameters and LA mechanical functions. Atrial electrical conduction times were not prolonged and LA mechanical functions were not impaired in patients with active acromegaly compared with controls. And the prevalence of supraventricular arrhythmia risk may not increase in this population.

Comparison of effects of gliclazide, metformin and pioglitazone monotherapies on glycemic control and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with newly diagnosed uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the effects of gliclazide-modified release (gliclazide-MR), metformine (MET) and pioglitazone (PIO) monotherapies on glycemic control and conventional/non-conventional cardiovascular risk factors in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A single center, randomized, 52-wk comparator-controlled clinical study was carried out in patients with newly diagnosed uncontrolled T2DM. A total of 57 patients were randomized into gliclazide-MR, metformin and pioglitazone groups. Drugs were administered for 12 months. Anthropometric measurements, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial plasma glucose (PPG), HbA1c, insulin, HOMA-IR, lipid parameters, the markers of coagulation/fibrinolysis, inflammation and endothelial dysfunction were measured at baseline and at months 3, 6, and 12.

RESULTS

In the gliclazide-MR group, HC, FPG, HbA1c, insulin, HOMA-IR, TC, trigylcerides, Lp (a), E-selectin and Hcy were significantly decreased after treatment compared to baseline. In the MET group, BMI, WC, FPG, PPG, HbA1c, ICAM-1 and Hcy significantly decreased after treatment compared to baseline. In PIO group, WC, HC, FPG, PPG, HbA1c, C-peptid, HOMA-IR, trigylcerides, vWF, IL-6, ICAM-1, E-selectin and Hcy significantly decreased after treatment compared to baseline, whereas, HDL-C increased. At the end of the month 12, the decreases in insulin and HOMA-IR score were more pronounced with PIO compared to gliclazide.

CONCLUSIONS

Gliclazide-MR, MET and PIO monotherapies, were equally effective in proving glycemic control in patients with newly diagnosed, oral antidiabetic (OAD)-naive T2DM. But, improvements in conventional/non-conventional cardiovascular risk factors were more pronounced in patients on PIO therapy compared to gliclazide and MET therapies. Also, all of the 3 drugs represent effective and safe first-line pharmacological treatment options in these patients.