The Effect of High Dose Glucocorticoid Steroids on Myocardial Function
The Effect of High Dose Glucocorticoid Steroids on Myocardial Function
Long term steroid exposure, as in Cushing's disease, causes myocardial dysfunction,
 hypertrophy and fibrosis in addition to causing obesity, hypertension and glucose
 intolerance. The aim of our study was to verify if short-term high-dose exogenous steroid
 therapy adversely effects the heart.
Patients eligible for high dose steroid therapy due to inflammatory diseases were offered to
 participate in this study. The minimal total intravenous dose was 375 mg prednisone, and the
 daily steroids were divided into 2-3 doses. To determine the steroids' effect on myocardial
 function the echocardiographic studies included estimation of global and segmental
 longitudinal strain. Each patient had a baseline echocardiographic study performed before
 high-dose steroid therapy was initiated and again immediately after it. A follow-up echo
 study was performed after completion of a 3-month low-dose steroid therapy period. The paired
 2-tailed t-test was used to compare group means
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Age above 18

 -  Patient with rheumatic disease that need high dose steroids due to exacerbation

 -  Patient whom echocardiographic study can be performed with a good quality

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  age below 18