Alterations in cardiac flow parameters in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome

The aim of this study was to examine the echocardiographic profiles of patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Serum concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, androstenedione, free testosterone, prolactin, DHEA-SO(4) and 17-OH-progesterone, lipid profile (high and low density lipoproteins, triglyceride and total cholesterol) and basal and total insulin after a glucose tolerance test were measured in 35 patients with PCOS and 35 healthy controls matched for body mass index. Doppler, two dimensional M mode echocardiography was performed for the following indices: isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT), E wave duration time (EVT), A wave duration time (AVT), E wave deceleration time (DT), peak early diastolic flow velocity (PEV), peak late diastolic flow velocity (PAV), E wave velocity time integral (FVI-E), A wave velocity time integral (FVI-A), atrial filling fraction (AFF), ejection fraction (EF), pre-ejection time (PEP), ejection time (ET) and aortic flow velocity time integral (FVI). Androstenedione, free testosterone, low density lipoproteins and cholesterol concentrations were significantly higher in patients with PCOS. There was no difference in basal and total insulin concentrations. IVRT, AVT, FVI-A, AFF, and PEP were higher in patients with PCOS, while PEV, FVI-E, EF, ET, EVT and EVT/AVT were higher in the control group. There was a positive correlation between basal insulin values and IVRT, and between total insulin values and EF. These changes are consistent with a non-restrictive type of diastolic dysfunction and left ventricular stiffness. PCOS may lead to diastolic dysfunction via hyperinsulinaemia and male type dyslipidaemia.