Do ergot-derived dopamine agonists (pergolide or cabergoline) increase the risk of clinically important valve regurgitation in patients with Parkinson's disease compared to non-ergot derivatives or controls?
Ergot-derived dopamine agonists (pergolide and cabergoline) are associated with a significantly increased risk of clinically important valve regurgitation, which should be considered when evaluating their risk-benefit ratio.
The frequency of clinically important valve regurgitation was significantly increased in patients taking pergolide or cabergoline, but not in patients taking non-ergot-derived dopamine agonists, as compared with control subjects. These findings should be considered in evaluating the risk-benefit ratio of treatment with ergot derivatives.
Zanettini et al. (Thu,) studied this question.