Left ventricular diastolic function evaluated with tissue Doppler imaging in children with familial Mediterranean fever

Examination of cardiac functions during acute attack and remission period in children with familial Mediterranean fever

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive autoinflammatory disease characterized by recurring serosal inflammation. Cardiac involvement in FMF commonly manifests as pericarditis and pericardial effusion; however, there is limited research on myocardial function. This study aimed to assess cardiac functions during active inflammation and remission periods of FMF patients and investigate the cardiac effects of inflammation during the attack period. Thirty-eight FMF patients without additional cardiac diseases were included in the study. Demographic characteristics, clinical symptoms, family history, and MEFV gene analysis results were obtained retrospectively. Blood tests, blood pressure measurements, electrocardiogram evaluations, conventional echocardiography, and speckle tracking echocardiography were performed during the attack and remission periods. Disease severity was assessed using the Pras scoring system. During the attack period, FMF patients exhibited significantly higher leukocyte count, neutrophil count, C-reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate compared to the remission period (p < 0.005). Speckle tracking echocardiography revealed decreased function in the inferior segments of the left ventricle during the attack period (p < 0.005). Right ventricular function was more affected in the moderate disease group. FMF patients with lymphopenia during the attack demonstrated more impaired right ventricular function compared to those with normal lymphocyte count.  Conclusions: FMF patients experience cardiac abnormalities during active inflammation, highlighting the importance of monitoring cardiac functions in these patients. Speckle tracking echocardiography can provide valuable insights into cardiac involvement in FMF. These findings emphasize the cardiac impact of FMF inflammation and the significance of long-term cardiac function monitoring in the management of FMF patients. What is Known: • The current literature lacks studies investigating myocardial function in the pediatric population during the attack period of this particular disease. • Our objective was to assess the alterations in cardiac function during the attack and remission periods, considering clinical manifestations, disease severity, acute phase reactant levels, and mutation type. We also evaluated the pattern of cardiac involvement and the affected cardiac areas by comparing remission and attack periods. What is New: • Several studies have demonstrated a rise in the prevalence of ischemic cardiac disease and mortality among individuals with FMF. • Investigating cardiac involvement during the attack period in FMF patients can provide valuable insights for the prevention of long-term complications.

Evaluation of cardiac functions in children with familial Mediterranean fever

OBJECTIVES

Familial Mediterranean fever is an autosomal recessive autoinflammatory inherited disease. We aimed to evaluate cardiac involvement in children with familial Mediterranean fever during the attack-free period.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The prospective study included 75 familial Mediterranean fever patients during the attack-free period and 50 healthy children. Cardiac evaluation was performed using electrocardiography, 24-hour ambulatory Holter monitoring, and conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography. Aortic stiffness indices were calculated.

RESULTS

There were no differences between the groups in age, height, sex, body mass index, and arterial blood pressure parameters (p > 0.05). QT and corrected QT dispersion parameters were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). The E wave velocity and the E/A ratio of the mitral and tricuspid valves decreased, and the A wave velocity of the tricuspid and mitral valve increased in familial Mediterranean fever by the Doppler echocardiography (p < 0.05). The myocardial contraction velocities (Sd), early relaxation velocity (Ed), and Ed/late relaxation velocity (Ad) of both ventricles were decreased in familial Mediterranean fever group, whereas the Ad of both ventricles and the interventricular septum was increased in familial Mediterranean fever group. Aortic strain and distensibility were decreased, and pressure strain elastic modules (Ep), pressure strain normalised (Ep*) by diastolic pressure, and aortic stiffness β index were increased in familial Mediterranean fever patients (p < 0.05). When time domain heart rate variability parameters were evaluated, SDNN-i, RMSSD, and PNN50 significantly decreased in familial Mediterranean fever patients (p < 0.05), whereas SDNN and SDANN were similar in both groups (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our findings showed that cardiac involvement could exist in familial Mediterranean fever patients, even during nonattack periods.

Effects of Familial Mediterranean Fever on Cardiac Functions in Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study Based on Speckle Tracking Echocardiography

Objectives

This study aims to evaluate the right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic functions with speckle tracking echocardiography in addition to routine echocardiographic measurements in adult familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) patients in order to detect cardiac functions.

Patients and methods

Sixty FMF patients (23 males, 37 females; median age 35 years; interquartile range, 26 to 38 years) and 20 healthy subjects (10 males, 10 females; median age 31 years; interquartile range, 25 to 35 years) were included in the study. The diagnosis was established according to the Tel-Hashomer criteria. All patients were using regular colchicine and they were in the attack-free period. Laboratory examinations included complete blood count, creatinine, and inflammatory markers. In addition to routine echocardiographic examination, RV and LV global longitudinal strains were measured and compared.

Results

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein values were higher in FMF group. LV global longitudinal strain was similar among the groups. FMF patients had slightly lower early diastolic trans-mitral flow (E) values than controls. As similar as the mitral E flow, tricuspid E flow was slightly lower in FMF groups than controls. RV ejection fraction was similar and in normal ranges among the groups. RV global longitudinal strain was lower in FMF group than controls. RV Myocardial Performance Index (or Tei index) was higher in FMF group.

Conclusion

The present study indicates low values of mean RV global longitudinal strain and higher Tei index in FMF patients. These results suggest that FMF may cause subclinical RV deterioration.

Cardiac manifestations of Familial Mediterranean fever

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is autoinflammatory disorder characterized by sporadic attacks of fever, peritonitis, pleuritis, and arthritis. It is mainly seen in patients from Mediterranean origins, but it is now reported more frequently in Europe and North America due to immigration. To analyze the data on the cardiovascular manifestations in FMF patients, we searched PubMed using the terms "Familial Mediterranean Fever" or "FMF" in combination with other key words including "cardiovascular diseases" "pericardial diseases" "atherosclerosis" "coronary artery diseases" "cardiomyopathy" "pulmonary hypertension" or "valvular diseases." suggested several mechanisms to explain the cardiac involvements in FMF including the ongoing inflammation and the amyloid deposits in the heart and vessels' walls at the advanced stages of FMF. The course of these manifestations varies widely, but it can associate with poor prognosis in some cases such as with pulmonary hypertension. Interestingly, Colchicine, which is the cornerstone therapy of FMF, plays a vital role in treating and preventing some of these disorders. In this article, In this article, we will discuss the incidence, pathophysiology, and prognosis of the various cardiac manifestations affecting FMF patients.

MEFV gene mutations and cardiac phenotype in children with familial Mediterranean fever: a cohort study

BACKGROUND

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is the most common autoinflammatory disorder in the world. It is characterized by recurrent febrile inflammatory attacks of serosal and synovial membranes. MEFV gene mutations are responsible for the disease and its protein product, pyrin or marenostrin, plays an essential role in the regulation of the inflammatory reactions. Although the disease may carry a potential for cardiovascular disorders because of sustained inflammation during its course, the spectrum of cardiac involvement in children with FMF has not been well studied. We aimed at defining the frequency and spectrum of cardiac affection in children with FMF. The correlation between these affections and MEFV gene mutations was searched for to establish the relationship between cardiac phenotype and the patient's genotype in FMF.

METHODS

The present work is a cohort study including 55 patients with the clinical diagnosis of FMF based on the Tel-Hashomere criteria, confirmed by genetic analysis showing homozygous or compound heterozygous mutation of MEFV genes. Fifty age- and sex-matched normal children were included as controls. The entire study group underwent detailed cardiac examination, 12-lead ECG and echocardiography. All data was statistically analysed using SPSS version-15.

RESULTS

Patients had an average age of 8.5+/-4.2 years; with an average disease duration of 2.1+/-2.2 years; 28 were males. All controls showed no MEVF gene mutations. The most frequent gene mutation of the studied cases was E148Q mutation seen in 34% of cases and the most frequent compound mutation was E148Q/V726A seen in 16.6% of cases. Echocardiographic examination revealed pericardial effusion in nine patients. Twelve had aortic regurgitation; nine had mitral regurgitation and six had pulmonary regurgitation. The most common mutation associated with pericardial effusion was E148Q/V726A in 5/9 of cases. Valvular involvement were significantly more common in FMF patients with gene mutations. Also cardiac involvement was more common in patients with positive consanguinity. However, these cardiac manifestations showed no correlation to age, family history of FMF, or response to therapy or laboratory data.

CONCLUSIONS

In our cohort of children with FMF, cardiac involvement appears to be common. Pericardial effusions are significantly related to presence of mutation types E48Q, P 369S, V726A. These associations may warrant genetic screening of children with FMF to detect cardiac risk.

P-wave duration and dispersion in children with uncomplicated familial Mediterranean fever

OBJECTIVES

This was a prospective controlled study to determine the P-wave duration (Pdu) and P-wave dispersion (Pd) in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF).

METHODS

The study group consisted of 26 children with uncomplicated FMF and 25 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. We performed electrocardiography (ECG) with Doppler echocardiography on patients and controls. All participants underwent 12-lead electrocardiography under strict standards. Pdu and Pd were computed from a randomly selected beat and from an averaged beat constructed from 12 beats, included in a 10-s ECG.

RESULTS

The left ventricle (LV) dimensions, LV ejection fraction (LVEF), and LV fractional shortening (LVFS) values, left atrium dimension, and aortic dimension were in normal range in both groups. There were significant differences between the groups regarding LV-isovolumic relaxation time (IRT), LV-isovolumic contraction time (ICT), right ventricle (RV)-ICT, RV-IRT, and Pd (all p < 0.0001). However, highly significant positive correlation was detected between LV-ICT, LV-IRT, RV-ICT, RV-IVT, C-reactive protein (CRP), and Pd (r = 0.505, p < 0.0001; r = 0.483, p < 0.0001; r = 0.433, p = 0.001; r = 0.421, p = 0.001; r = 0.452, p = 0.001; r = 0.478, p < 0.0001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Uncomplicated FMF children who are continuously treated with colchicine and do not develop amyloidosis have abnormal atrial dispersion and therefore seemingly have an increased electrocardiographic risk of atrial fibrillation.

Assessment of cardiac functions using tissue Doppler imaging in children with familial Mediterranean fever

OBJECTIVE

Familial Mediterranean fever may carry a potential for cardiovascular disorders because of sustained inflammation during its course; however, there has been a limited number of studies investigating the cardiac functions in children. The aim of this study was to assess both ventricular diastolic functions using conventional echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging in children with familial Mediterranean fever.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study population included 25 patients with familial Mediterranean fever - mean age was 11.8 plus or minus 5.30 years - and 23 healthy patients as controls - mean age was 9.88 plus or minus 3.69 years. Both ventricular functions were measured using echocardiography comprising standard M-mode and conventional Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging during an attack-free period.

RESULTS

The conventional echocardiographic parameters with myocardial performance index were in normal ranges and similar in patients with familial Mediterranean fever and controls, with a p-value more than 0.05. However, right ventricular diastolic dysfunction was observed in patients with familial Mediterranean fever documented by tissue Doppler imaging, with a p-value less than 0.05 for E't and A't wave ratio.

CONCLUSION

Using tissue Doppler imaging, we have demonstrated that although left ventricular functions were comparable in the patients and healthy children, right ventricular diastolic function indices were impaired in patients with familial Mediterranean fever during childhood. Impaired right ventricular diastolic function may be an early manifestation of cardiac involvement in children with familial Mediterranean fever.

Assessment of left ventricular diastolic function in children after successful repair of aortic coarctation

The purpose of the study was an assessment of left ventricular diastolic function in children after the successful repair of aortic coarctation (CoA). The prospective study concerned 32 pediatric patients after the CoA surgery. Tissue Doppler imaging parameters including strain and strain rate and the conventional echocardiographic indexes were analyzed in patients and healthy controls. Analysis of mitral annulus velocities, E–E′ ratio, strain, and strain rate of left ventricular mid-cavity segments and conventional indexes of mitral inflow showed the worsening of left ventricular diastolic mechanics in the study group compared to healthy controls. The E/E′ ratio was significantly higher in the study group compared to the control group (8.30 ± 3.24 vs. 6.95 ± 1.36; p < 0.05). The early diastolic strain rate to late diastolic strain rate ratio as well as early to late diastolic strain ratio of the left ventricular mid-cavity segments were significantly lower in the study group compared to healthy controls (1.81 ± 0.63 vs. 3.74 ± 1.53; p < 0.001 and 1.20 ± 0.49 vs. 3.41 ± 1.26; p < 0.001). No differences of the pulmonary venous flow parameters between those two groups were observed. The left ventricular diastolic mechanics in hypertensive patients after CoA repair did not differ from normotensive subjects. Hypertensive and normotensive children after surgical repair of CoA are found to have worsening of the left ventricular diastolic mechanics suggesting the impairment of the active myocardial relaxation.

Heart rate variability in familial Mediterranean fever

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a hereditary disease, characterized by recurrent episodes of fever and polyserositis. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a powerful, simple and reliable technique to evaluate autonomic nervous system function. Previous studies of physiologic parameters during tilt-test have suggested that patients with FMF have abnormal cardiovascular reactivity and occult dysautonomia. Prompted by these findings, the present study sought to evaluate HRV in patients with FMF, at rest and in the standing position. The study sample included 34 patients with FMF and 34 sex- and age-matched control subjects. All underwent electrocardiography according to strict criteria. HRV parameters were computed with custom-made software. There was no significant difference in HRV parameters, in either the supine or standing position, between the FMF and control groups. In both groups, the upright position was associated with a significant decrease, when compared with the supine position, in maximal RR interval, minimal RR, average RR, root square of successive differences in RR interval, number of intervals differing by >50 ms from preceding interval (NN50), NN50 divided by total number of intervals (pNN50) and high-frequency components as well as a significant increase in average heart rate, very low frequency or low-frequency components, low-frequency/high-frequency components ratio and total power. In conclusion, patients with FMF who are continuously treated with low-dose colchicine have not developed amyloidosis and have normal HRV parameters in the supine and upright position. Further investigation of occult dysautonomia in FMF is needed.