Background: In addition to the effects on ventricular repolarization, testosterone could also affect left ventricular performance. The enhancement of left ventricular contractility in testosterone-deficient rats following testosterone replacement implies to the possible testosterone effect.
Objectives: The aim of the current study is to reveal the alterations of left ventricular functions, if any, in secondary hypogonadal male patients.
Methods: Thirty-four males with secondary hypogonadism comprised the study group. The control group consisted of 30 healthy subjects. Echocardiographic measurements including left ventricular dimensions, ejection fraction, mitral inflow, and left ventricular outflow parameters were obtained from all subjects. Tissue Doppler parameters were also measured from left ventricular lateral wall and interventricular septum.
Results: Left ventricular diameters, wall thicknesses, and performance parameters were similar in both groups. Mitral inflow parameters showed a statistically insignificant difference. Pulse-wave tissue Doppler interpretation of hypogonadal and healthy subjects were similar in terms of lateral and septal basal segment Sm, Em, and Am wave velocities.
Conclusions: Regarding the findings of previous studies that showed impaired myocardial contractility and lusitropy in testosterone deficient rats and our study results, further studies are needed for better understanding of testosterone's effects on human myocardium.