ASSESSMENT OF LEFT VENTRICULAR FUNCTION DURING ACTH TREATMENT IN INFANTILE SPASM

ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF LEFT VENTRICULAR WALL THICKNESS AND DIASTOLIC BEHAVIOR

Abstract

We performed serial echocardiographic examinations to evaluate the left ventricular (LV) function of 7 patients with infantile spasm of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) therapy. Myocardial wall thickness as a whole and LV wall thickness change increased after ACTH administration but gradually decreased after the dose of ACTH was reduced. LV end-diastolic area and LV systolic area decreased after ACTH administration.
LV inflow velocity pattern was also evaluated serially in this study. Peak early diastolic inflow velocity (E) decreased and peak late diastolic inflow velocity (A) increased after starting ACTH administration. These findings are similar to those in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
We therefore recommend careful monitoring of LV function by serial echocardiographic examination in patients undergoing ACTH therapy.