Cardiovascular MRI evidence of reduced systolic function and reduced LV mass in rheumatoid arthritis: impact of disease phenotype

AbstractThe accelerated risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) requires further study of the underlying pathophysiology and determination of the at-risk RA phenotype. Our objectives were to describe the cardiac structure and function and arterial stiffness, and association with disease phenotype in patients with established) RA, in comparison to healthy controls, as measured by cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). 76 patients with established RA and no history of CVD/diabetes mellitus were assessed for RA and cardiovascular profile and underwent a non-contrast 3T-CMR, and compared to 26 healthy controls. A univariable analysis and multivariable linear regression model determined associations between baseline variables and CMR-measures. Ten-year cardiovascular risk scores were increased in RA compared with controls. Adjusting for age, sex and traditional cardiovascular risk factors, patients with RA had reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (mean difference − 2.86% (− 5.17, − 0.55) p = 0.016), reduced absolute values of mid systolic strain rate (p <  0.001) and lower late/active diastolic strain rate (p <  0.001) compared to controls. There was evidence of reduced LV mass index (LVMI) (− 4.56 g/m2 ( − 8.92, − 0.20), p = 0.041). CMR-measures predominantly associated with traditional cardiovascular risk factors; male sex and systolic blood pressure independently with increasing LVMI. Patie...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - Category: Radiology Source Type: research