Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is associated with early onset hypertension and left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy. Since LV hypertrophy is associated with LV diastolic function impairment, we aimed to assess the changes over time of LV diastolic function in ADPKD patients and whether they were affected by the treatment with the somatostatin analogue, octreotide.

35 ADPKD patients (14 males) aged 34±8 years (mean glomerular filtration rate 82±26 mL/min/1.73m2) were randomly assigned to 36 month treatment with placebo (n=18) or octreotide (n=17). Clinical and echocardiography parameters were evaluated at baseline and study end. LV mass (M) and ejection fraction (EF) were calculated according to Devereux formula and biplane Simpson's algorithm, respectively. LV filling was assessed by mitral and pulmonary vein flow velocity curves and mitral annulus early diastolic velocity peak (Ea) by tissue Doppler imaging.

Inclusion Criteria:

• diagnosis of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease
• glomerular filtration rate grater than 40 ml/min

Exclusion Criteria:

• diabetes mellitus
• proteinuria greater than 1 g/24 hours
• significant glomerular disease
• urinary tract lithiasis and infections
• symptomatic gallstones
• biliary sludge
• cancer
• pregnant women
• lactanting women