Hypercortisolism is associated with increased coronary arterial atherosclerosis: analysis of noninvasive coronary angiography using multidetector computerized tomography.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Observational studies show that glucocorticoid therapy and the endogenous hypercortisolism of Cushing's syndrome (CS) are associated with increased rates of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, the causes of these findings remain largely unknown.

Objective

To determine whether CS patients have increased coronary atherosclerosis.

Design

A prospective case-control study was performed.

Setting

Subjects were evaulated in a clinical research center.

Subjects

Fifteen consecutive patients with ACTH-dependent CS, 14 due to an ectopic source and 1 due to pituitary Cushing's disease were recruited. Eleven patients were studied when hypercortisolemic; 4 patients were eucortisolemic due to medication (3) or cyclic hypercortisolism (1). Fifteen

SUBMITTER: Neary NM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3644598 | biostudies-literature | 2013 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature