Evaluation of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Patients with Strain Echocardiography

Objectives: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by several metabolic abnormalities that may lead to insulin resistance, diabetes, and atherosclerosis which are associated with chronic inflammatory processes and oxidative stress. Due to this fact PCOS patients are at increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. We used echocardiographic quantification tools to detect subclinical changes in myocardial functions. Materials and Methods: Echocardiographic, hormonal and metabolic measurements were performed in twenty-six women with PCOS and twenty-three healthy volunteers. The age of the attendants ranged between 20 and 31 years. PCOS was diagnosed by using the Rotterdam criteria. We compared the myocardial functions of PCOS patients without any cardiovascular symptoms with healthy volunteers by using strain echocardiography. Results: No differences were found between the two groups' strain, strain rate and myocardial velocity measurements. Conclusion: According to our study PCOS patients without any clinical cardiovascular symptoms have no impairment in myocardial functions. These results should be further confirmed in larger controlled studies.