Cardiovascular involvement in systemic rheumatic diseases: An integrated view for the treating physicians

Dickkopf-Related Protein 1 (DKK-1) as a Possible Link between Bone Erosions and Increased Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Psoriatic Arthritis: An Ultrasound Study

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a heterogenous systemic inflammatory disorder that affects peripheral joints and skin, but also causes inflammation at entheseal sites, digits (dactylitis) and the axial skeleton. Despite considerable advances, our understanding of the pathogenesis and management of PsA is hampered by its complex clinical expression. We enrolled patients who met the ClASsification for Psoriatic Arthritis (CASPAR) criteria for PsA (n = 17), and healthy controls (n = 13). The lipid profile, C-reactive protein (CRP) and Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK-1) circulating levels were measured for all subjects. For the patients with PsA, (1) the erosive character of the articular disease was assessed by a musculoskeletal ultrasound and (2) the cardiovascular risk was evaluated using the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) chart and the ultrasound measurement of the carotid intima-media thickness. A higher titer of serum DKK-1 was associated with the presence of erosions (p < 0.005) and the cIMT correlated with DKK-1 levels in patients with PsA (r = 0.6356, p = 0.0061). Additionally, we observed a positive correlation between increased cIMT and CRP (r = 0.5186, p = 0.0329). Our results suggest that DKK-1 could be used as an early biomarker for the erosive character of the articular disease and for the assessment of the cardiovascular risk in PsA patients.

Cardiovascular risk in axial spondyloarthritis-a systematic review

Cardiovascular manifestations are common in patients suffering axial spondyloarthritis and can result in substantial morbidity and disease burden. To give an overview of this important aspect of axial spondyloarthritis, we conducted a systematic literature search of all articles published between January 2000 and 25 May 2023 on cardiovascular manifestations. Using PubMed and SCOPUS, 123 out of 6792 articles were identified and included in this review. Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis seems to be underrepresented in studies; thus, more evidence for ankylosing spondylitis exists. All in all, we found some traditional risk factors that led to higher cardiovascular disease burden or major cardiovascular events. These specific risk factors seem to be more aggressive in patients with spondyloarthropathies and have a strong connection to high or long-standing disease activity. Since disease activity is a major driver of morbidity, diagnostic, therapeutic, and lifestyle interventions are crucial for better outcomes. Key Points • Several studies on axial spondyloarthritis and associated cardiovascular diseases have been conducted in the last few years addressing risk stratification of these patients including artificial intelligence. • Recent data suggest distinct manifestations of cardiovascular disease entities among men and women which the treating physician needs to be aware of. • Rheumatologists need to screen axial spondyloarthritis patients for emerging cardiovascular disease and should aim at reducing traditional risk factors like hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and smoking as well as disease activity.

A bibliometric analysis of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies from 1982 to 2021

OBJECTIVE

There has been an increasing number of literature related to idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) in the past few decades. However, there is a lack of intuitive and systematic analysis of research on IIM. Therefore, this study aimed to perform a bibliometric analysis to identify the current trends and hotspots of research on IIM.

METHODS

Articles and reviews on IIM published during 1982-2021 were acquired from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database. VOSviewer application was applied to conduct a network analysis of the keywords, institutions, and countries. The top 100 most-cited publications regarding IIM were analyzed.

RESULTS

In total, 665 publications were included. Globally, the USA produced the most articles on IIM (144). Karolinska Institutet was the institution with the most outputs (47). Rheumatology ranked on top of journals, with 47 IIM-related documents collecting a total of 1420 citations. In the area of IIM documents, biomarkers were the most common research theme. According to the co-occurrence analysis of keywords, "cardiac involvement," "criteria," and "refractory adult" were identified as significant future research centers.

CONCLUSION

The scientific literature on IIM has advanced rapidly in the past 4 decades. The classification criteria, treatment, and extramuscular manifestations of IIM have been identified as promising research frontiers in the field. The global status and trends of the IIM literature from a bibliometric aspect can offer a helpful guidance and new insight for researchers and medical workers in the domain. Key Points • This study reveals the topic trends and knowledge structure of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies literature over the last 40 years. • This study identifies potential future research hotspots, including "cardiac involvement," "criteria," and "refractory adult."

Myocardial Involvement in Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases

Systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs) are defined by the potential to affect multiple organ systems, and cardiac involvement is a prevalent but often overlooked sequela. Myocardial involvement in SARDs is medicated by macrovascular disease, microvascular dysfunction, and myocarditis. Systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and sarcoidosis are associated with the greatest risk of myocardial damage and heart failure, though myocardial involvement is also seen in other SARDs or their treatments. Management of myocardial involvement should be disease-specific. Further research is required to elucidate targetable mechanisms of myocardial involvement in SARDs.

Trained Immunity in Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome: Linking Type I Interferons to a Pro-Atherogenic Phenotype

Background

Trained immunity – or innate immune memory – can be described as the long-term reprogramming of innate immune cells towards a hyperresponsive state which involves intracellular metabolic changes. Trained immunity has been linked to atherosclerosis. A subgroup of patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) exhibits systemic type I interferon (IFN) pathway activation, indicating innate immune hyperactivation. Here, we studied the link between type I IFNs and trained immunity in an in vitro monocytic cell model and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from pSS patients.

Methods

The training stimuli heat killed Candida albicans, muramyl dipeptide, IFNβ, and patient serum were added to THP-1 cells for 24 hours, after which the cells were washed, rested for 48 hours and subsequently re-stimulated with LPS, Pam3Cys, poly I:C, IFNβ or oxLDL for 4-24 hours. PBMCs from pSS patients and healthy controls were stimulated with LPS, Pam3Cys, poly I:C or IFNβ for 0.5-24 hours.

Results

Training with IFNβ induced elevated production of pro-atherogenic cytokines IL-6, TNFα and CCL2, differential cholesterol- and glycolysis-related gene expression, and increased glucose consumption and oxLDL uptake upon re-stimulation. Type I IFN production was increased in Candida albicans- and IFNβ-trained cells after LPS re-stimulation, but was reduced after poly I:C re-stimulation. Training with muramyl dipeptide and IFNβ, but not Candida albicans, affected the IFN-stimulated gene expression response to IFNβ re-stimulation. PBMCs from pSS patients consumed more glucose compared with healthy control PBMCs and tended to produce more TNFα and type I IFNs upon LPS stimulation, but less type I IFNs upon poly I:C stimulation.

Conclusions

Type I IFN is a trainer inducing a trained immunity phenotype with pro-atherogenic properties in monocytes. Conversely, trained immunity also affects the production of type I IFNs and transcriptional response to type I IFN receptor re-stimulation. The phenotype of pSS PBMCs is consistent with trained immunity. This connection between type I IFN, trained immunity and cholesterol metabolism may have important implications for pSS and the pathogenesis of (subclinical) atherosclerosis in these patients.

Using multi-parametric quantitative MRI to screen for cardiac involvement in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) is a group of heterogeneous autoimmune systemic diseases, which not only involve skeletal muscle but also myocardium. Cardiac involvement in IIM, which eventually develops into heart failure, is difficult to identify by conventional examinations at early stage. The aim of this study was to investigate if multi-parametric cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging can screen for early cardiac involvement in IIM, compared with clinical score (Myositis Disease Activity Assessment Tool, MDAAT). Forty-nine patients of IIM, and 25 healthy control subjects with comparable age-range and sex-ratio were enrolled in this study. All subjects underwent CMR examination, and multi-slice short-axis and 4-chamber cine MRI were acquired to evaluate biventricular global circumferential strain (GCS) and global longitudinal strain (GLS). Native T1 and T2 mapping were performed, and post-contrast T1 mapping and LGE were acquired after administration of contrast. A CMR score was developed from native T1 mean and T2 mean for the identification of cardiac involvement in the IIM cohort. Using contingency tables MDAAT and CMR were compared and statistically analyzed using McNemar test. McNemar’s test revealed no significant difference between CMR score and MDAAT (p = 0.454). CMR score had potential to screen for early cardiac involvement in IIM patients, compared to MDAAT.

Non-invasive Imaging in Women With Heart Failure - Diagnosis and Insights Into Disease Mechanisms

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To summarise the role of different imaging techniques for diagnosis and investigation of heart failure in women.

RECENT FINDINGS

Although sex differences in heart failure are well recognised, and the scope of imaging techniques is expanding, there are currently no specific guidelines for imaging of heart failure in women. Diagnosis and stratification of heart failure is generally performed first line using transthoracic echocardiography. Understanding the aetiology of heart failure is central to ongoing management, and with non-ischaemic causes more common in women, a multimodality approach is generally required using advanced imaging techniques including cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear imaging techniques, and cardiac computed tomography. There are specific considerations for imaging in women including radiation risks and challenges during pregnancy, highlighting the clear unmet need for cardiology and imaging societies to provide imaging guidelines specifically for women with heart failure.

Monitoring and Managing Cardiovascular Risk in Immune Mediated Inflammatory Diseases

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is common in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) and it is predominately attributed to the interplay between chronic inflammation and traditional CVD risk factors. CVD has significant impact on the survival of patients with IMIDs as it is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Despite recommendations for monitoring and managing CVD in patients with IMIDs, the individual CVD risk assessment remains problematic as CVD risk calculators for the general population consistently underestimate the risk in patients with IMIDs. Application of new technologies utilizing artificial intelligence techniques have shown promising potential for tailoring predictive medicine to the individual patient, but further validation of their role in clinical decision-making is warranted. In the meantime, individuals with IMIDs should be encouraged to adopt behavioral interventions targeting at modifiable lifestyle CVD risk factors, whereas rheumatologists need to be well aware of the unfavorable effects of antirheumatic medication on various CVD risk factors and outcomes. In the current paper, we aim to provide an overview of current and emerging strategies for mitigating CVD risk in patients with IMIDs, based on a practical approach.

Association between systemic sclerosis and peripheral arterial disease: a nationwide observation retrospective claim records cohort study in Taiwan

OBJECTIVES

Recent studies have proposed associations between systemic sclerosis (SSc) and atherosclerosis and between SSc and cardiovascular disease. However, in Asia, no large-scale studies have focused on the association between peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and SSc.

SETTING

A nationwide observation retrospective cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

The National Health Insurance Research Database was used for selecting patients diagnosed with SSc from 2000 to 2011. Patients diagnosed with PAD before the index date were excluded.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The SSc cohort comprised 1106 patients with SSc, and the non-SSc cohort comprised 4424 matched controls. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used for analysing the adjusted risk of PAD between the case and control patients.

RESULTS

The SSc cohort exhibited a significantly higher risk (HR=2.15, 95% CI=1.47 to 3.14) of PAD than did the non-SSc cohort. Patients with heart failure exhibited the highest risk of PAD (adjusted HR=2.10, 95% CI=1.20 to 3.70). Moreover, even without any comorbidities, the SSc cohort exhibited a significantly higher risk (adjusted HR=4.17 fold, 95% CI=1.98 to 8.77) of PAD than did the non-SSc cohort.

CONCLUSION

SSc is associated with a significantly high risk of PAD. Further studies are required to reduce the PAD risk among patients with SSc.

Systemic autoimmune disease as a cause of death: mortality burden and comorbidities

Objectives

Systemic autoimmune diseases (SAIDs) have chronic trajectories and share characteristics of self-directed inflammation, as well as aspects of clinical expression. Nonetheless, burden-of-disease studies rarely investigate them as a distinct category. This study aims to assess the mortality rate of SAIDs as a group and to evaluate co-occurring causes of death.

Methods

We used death certificate data in the Netherlands, 2013–2017 (N = 711 247), and constructed a SAIDs list at the fourth-position ICD-10 level. The mortality rate of SAIDs as underlying cause of death (CoD), non-underlying CoD, and any-mention CoD was calculated. We estimated age-sex-standardized observed/expected (O/E) ratios to assess comorbidities in deaths with SAID relative to the general deceased population.

Results

We observed 3335 deaths with SAID on their death certificate (0.47% of all deaths). The mortality rate of SAID was 14.6 per million population as underlying CoD, 28.0 as non-underlying CoD, and 39.7 as any-mention CoD. The mortality rate was higher for females and increased exponentially with age. SAID-related deaths were positively associated with all comorbidities except for solid neoplasms and mental conditions. Particularly strong was the association with diseases of the musculoskeletal system (O/E = 3.38; 95% CI: 2.98, 3.82), other diseases of the genitourinary system (O/E = 2.73; 95% CI: 2.18, 3.38), influenza (O/E = 2.71; 95% CI: 1.74, 4.03), blood diseases (O/E = 2.02; 95% CI: 1.70, 2.39), skin and subcutaneous tissue diseases (O/E = 1.95; 95% CI: 1.54, 2.45), and infectious diseases (O/E = 1.85; 95% CI: 1.70, 2.01).

Conclusion

Systemic autoimmune diseases constitute a rare group of causes of death, but contribute to mortality through multiple comorbidities. Classification systems could be adapted to better encompass these diseases as a category.

Discovery of Anti-SS-A Antibodies during Stroke Investigations in Young Adults: What Impact?

OBJECTIVES

French national guidelines recommend searching for anti-SS-A antibodies during the second-line assessment of stroke in adults < 55 years of age in the absence of an identified etiology. We aimed to assess the impact of finding anti-SS-A antibodies during the etiological investigations of stroke in young adults.

METHODS

Medical files from all patients ≤ 55 years of age admitted to a single stroke unit during a five-year period and for whom anti-SS-A antibodies were positive were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

Twelve patients were included (9 women; median age 48.5 years), with a rate of anti-SS-A antibody positivity of 1.6% (95% confidence interval [0.71-2.55] %; 12/735 admissions). The etiologies of the 12 ischemic events based on the TOAST classification were large-artery atherosclerosis (n = 1), cardioembolism (n = 1), small-vessel disease (n = 1), other determined etiology (n = 3), multiple etiology (n = 1), and no determined etiology (n = 5). A connective tissue disease (CTD) was discovered in 8/12 patients (1 primary Sjögren's Syndrome, 1 mixed CTD, 1 systemic sclerosis, 2 antiphospholipid syndromes, 1 undetermined CTD, 2 lupus). Anti-SSA antibodies were not directly responsible for the stroke in any of the 12 cases. A link between the autoimmune disease and the neurological vascular episode could be hypothesized for four patients, but it never influenced the therapeutic decision.

CONCLUSIONS

Finding anti-SS-A antibodies during the etiological assessment of a stroke of young adults is rare. However, it may be worthwhile to refer the patient to a rheumatologist/an internist because CTD may be discovered and may require specific follow-up.

Long-Term Outcomes of Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Background: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease and events. Little is, however, known about the influence of RA to the outcomes after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Methods: In a retrospective, nationwide, multicenter cohort study, RA patients (n = 109) were compared to patients without RA (n = 1090) treated with isolated SAVR for aortic valve stenosis. Propensity score-matching adjustment for baseline features was used to study the outcome differences in a median follow-up of 5.6 years. Results: Patients with RA had higher all-cause mortality (HR 1.76; CI 1.21–2.57; p = 0.003), higher incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (HR 1.63; CI 1.06–2.49; p = 0.025), and they needed more often coronary artery revascularization for coronary artery disease (HR 3.96; CI 1.21–12.90; p = 0.027) in long-term follow-up after SAVR. As well, cardiovascular mortality rate was higher in patients with RA (35.7% vs. 23.4%, p = 0.023). There was no difference in 30-day mortality (2.8% vs. 1.8%, p = 0.518) or in the need for aortic valve reoperations (3.7% vs. 4.0%, p = 0.532). Conclusions: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis had impaired long-term results and increased cardiovascular mortality after SAVR for aortic valve stenosis. Special attention is needed to improve outcomes of aortic valve stenosis patients with RA after SAVR.

Comorbidities in rheumatic diseases need special consideration during the COVID-19 pandemic

Comorbidities in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) not only increase morbidity and mortality but also confound disease activity, limit drug usage and increase chances of severe infections or drug-associated adverse effects. Most RMDs lead to accelerated atherosclerosis and variable manifestations of the metabolic syndrome. Literature on COVID-19 in patients with RMDs, and the effects of various comorbidities on COVID-19 was reviewed. The initial data of COVID-19 infections in RMDs have not shown an increased risk for severe disease or the use of different immunosuppression. However, there are some emerging data that patients with RMDs and comorbidities may fare worse. Various meta-analyses have reiterated that pre-existing hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, lung disease or obesity predispose to increased COVID-19 mortality. All these comorbidities are commonly encountered in the various RMDs. Presence of comorbidities in RMDs pose a greater risk than the RMDs themselves. A risk score based on comorbidities in RMDs should be developed to predict severe COVID-19 and death. Additionally, there should be active management of such comorbidities to mitigate these risks. The pandemic must draw our attention towards, and not away from, comorbidities.

Cardio-Rheumatology: Cardiovascular Complications in Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases / Is Inflammation the Common Link and Target?

In the current Thematic Issue of Current Vascular Pharmacology (CVP), entitled "Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases and Cardiology", presented in two parts, Part 1 and Part 2, review articles are included from specialists in cardiology, rheumatology, immunology and related fields. These reviews discuss the cardiovascular complications of the main systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases (ARDs). For example, the underlying pathogenetic mechanisms, the role of cardiovascular imaging and recommendations for prevention and management. These articles place inflammation as the key process, linking cardiovascular complications with ARDs. From all these reviews, the conclusion is the need for collaboration between the disciplines of Rheumatology and Cardiology to establish the emerging field of Cardio- Rheumatology. This will aid to fine-tune risk stratification and optimize preventive strategies and pharmacological therapies for patients with ARDs.

Cardio-Rheumatology: Two Collaborating Disciplines to Deal with the Enhanced Cardiovascular Risk in Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases

In Part 1 of this Thematic Issue entitled "Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases and Cardiology", a panel of specialists and experts in cardiology, rheumatology, immunology and related fields discussed the cardiovascular complications of spondyloarthritides, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome and vasculitides, as well as relevant cardiovascular issues related to non-biologic and biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and provided their recommendations for prevention and management of these complications. In part 2 of this Thematic Issue, experts discuss the enhanced cardiovascular risk conferred by additional autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs), including systemic lupus erythematosus, the antiphospholipid syndrome, psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. These, and the previous articles, place inflammation as the key common link to explain the enhanced risk of cardiovascular complications in patients with ARDs. It follows that treatment should probably target inflammation. From all these contemporary reviews, the conclusion that is derived further supports the notion of the emerging field of Cardio- Rheumatology where physicians and experts from these two disciplines collaborate in risk stratification and optimization of preventive strategies and drug therapies in patients with ARDs.

Atherosclerosis in SLE: a potential role for serum parathormone levels

Objective

A link between bone metabolism and cardiovascular (CV) disease has been suggested mainly in the general population. In the current study we explored whether altered bone metabolism influence CV risk in patients with SLE.

Methods

In 138 consecutive patients with SLE, atherosclerosis was assessed by the presence of plaque and/or arterial wall thickening in carotid/femoral arteries by ultrasound. Bone mineral density (BMD) levels and hip/spinal cord fractures together with classical CV disease and osteoporosis risk factors including serum 25(OH) vitamin D₃ and parathormone (PTH) levels were recorded in all patients. Serum osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand were quantitated by commercial ELISA. Statistical analysis included both univariate and multivariate models.

Results

Abnormal PTH serum concentrations (>65 pg/mL)—but not 25(OH) vitamin D₃ serum levels—were identified as a risk factor for both plaque formation and arterial wall thickening in patients with SLE (ORs (95% CIs): 8.2 (1.8 to 37.4) and 3.9 (1.3 to 11.8), respectively). This association remained significant following adjustment for vitamin D₃ levels and classical CV risk factors. Moreover, an independent association between osteoporosis with plaque formation and arterial wall thickening was detected following adjustment for total steroid dose, premature menopause and disease duration (ORs (95% CIs): 5.3 (1.1 to 26.2) and 3.5 (1.1 to 11.4), respectively). An inverse correlation between femoral neck BMD values and intima–medial thickness scores was also observed (r: −0.42, p=0.008).

Conclusions

These findings further strengthen the concept of shared pathophysiological mechanisms between atherogenesis and altered bone metabolism in autoimmune populations, revealing heightened PTH levels as a potential marker for atherosclerosis among patients with SLE.

Imaging of Cardiopulmonary Involvement in Systemic Immune-mediated Diseases: A Comprehensive Review

Systemic immune-mediated diseases (SID) are a large group of disorders characterized by complex inflammatory and autoimmune damage to various organs and tissues. Among the possible manifestations, SIDs may potentially involve each structure of the cardiopulmonary system. Each disease is characterized by a specific clinical presentation. Coronary artery disease, myocarditis, pericarditis, valvular disease, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and interstitial lung disease represent characteristic findings of cardiopulmonary involvement in these disorders and their prompt recognition is crucial for the diagnosis of SIDs and the patient's prognosis. In this setting, chest high-resolution computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance are the most important noninvasive techniques for the assessment of these diseases and their complications. The knowledge of various cardiac and pulmonary radiologic patterns increases the likelihood of diagnosing these disorders and can lead to improved understanding of the underlying pathophysiology to personalize the treatment for each patient.

Oxidative stress and inflammation in the evolution of heart failure: From pathophysiology to therapeutic strategies

Both oxidative stress and inflammation are enhanced in chronic heart failure. Dysfunction of cardiac mitochondria is a hallmark of heart failure and a leading cause of oxidative stress, which in turn exerts detrimental effects on cellular components, including mitochondria themselves, thus generating a vicious circle. Oxidative stress also causes myocardial tissue damage and inflammation, contributing to heart failure progression. Furthermore, a subclinical inflammatory state may be caused by heart failure comorbidities such as obesity, diabetes mellitus or sleep apnoeas. Some markers of both oxidative stress and inflammation are enhanced in chronic heart failure and hold prognostic significance. For all these reasons, antioxidants or anti-inflammatory drugs may represent interesting additional therapies for subjects either at high risk or with established heart failure. Nonetheless, only a few clinical trials on antioxidants have been carried out so far, with several disappointing results except for vitamin C, elamipretide and coenzyme Q10. With regard to anti-inflammatory drugs, only preliminary data on the interleukin-1 antagonist anakinra are currently available. Therefore, a comprehensive, deep understanding of our current knowledge on oxidative stress and inflammation in chronic heart failure is key to providing some suggestions for future research on this topic.

Cardiovascular prevention in women: a narrative review from the Italian Society of Cardiology working groups on 'Cardiovascular Prevention, Hypertension and peripheral circulation' and on 'Women Disease'

: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in women.Some authors highlighted that the female risk profile consists of traditional and emerging risk factors. Despite the lower prevalence of type 2 diabetes, years of life lost owing to the disease for women are substantially higher compared with men. In addition, pregnancy complicated by gestational diabetes represents a risk factor for CVD. Women with gestational diabetes have a higher prevalence of coronary artery disease that occur at a younger age and are independent of T2DM.Hypertension is an important cardiovascular risk factor in women. Estrogens and progesterone, known to have an impact on blood pressure levels, have also been proposed to be protective against sleep-disordered breathing. It is very difficult to understand whereas obstructive sleep apnea in women is independently associated with hypertension or if many confounders acting at different stages of the woman lifespan mediate this relation.The cardioprotective effect of physical activity in women of all ages is well known. Women are generally more physically inactive than men. During and after menopause, most women tend to reduce their physical activity levels and together with the reduction in basal metabolic rate, women experience loss of skeletal muscle mass with a negative change in the ratio of fat-to-lean mass.In conclusion, sex differences in the cardiovascular system are because of dissimilarities in gene expression and sex hormones; these result in variations in prevalence and presentation of CVD and associated conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension and vascular and cardiac remodeling.Changes in lifestyle and increase in physical activity could help in prevention of cardiovascular disease in women.

Usefulness of Myocardial Strain and Twist for Early Detection of Myocardial Dysfunction in Patients With Autoimmune Diseases

Cardiac involvement in autoimmune diseases (AD) is common but underdiagnosed due to a lack of sensitive imaging methods. We aim to evaluate the characteristics of left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction in patients with AD using deformational parameters from 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE). We retrospectively enrolled 86 AD patients and 71 healthy controls. All subjects underwent transthoracic echocardiography and STE to analyze LV strain and twist. A twist-radial displacement loop was constructed to investigate the relation between LV contractility and dimension. In AD patients, 68 had preserved LV ejection fraction (EF ≥ 50%), and 18 had reduced LVEF (EF < 50%). The patients with preserved LVEF exhibited significantly lower values of global longitudinal, circumferential, and radial strain than controls (-19.11 ± 4.18 vs -21.49 ± 2.53%, -25.17 ± 5.04% vs -27.37 ± 2.87%, 17.68 ± 5.69% vs 21.17 ± 6.44%, respectively; all p <0.01) and a marked attenuation in peak twist (14.24 ± 5.57 vs 18.10 ± 5.97, p <0.01) attributed to impaired apical rotation (9.03 ± 5.17 vs 12.79 ± 5.99, p <0.01). AD patients were more likely to present with abnormal loop types with flat ascending slope and delayed peak twist time. In conclusion, abnormal strain and twist precede deterioration in LVEF, suggesting early myocardial involvement in AD. STE can be used as a good alternative for early detection of myocardial dysfunction in AD patients.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance in the diagnosis and management of cardiac and vascular involvement in the systemic vasculitides

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Cardiac manifestations in systemic vasculitides, either primary or secondary due to infection, malignancy or autoimmune rheumatic diseases may be life-threatening. Cardiovascular (CVD) magnetic resonance (CMR) has been recently proposed as an ideal noninvasive tool to evaluate systemic vasculitides. In the present article, we present an overview of CMR in the diagnosis and follow-up of cardiac involvement in systemic vasculitides.

RECENT FINDINGS

CMR is a noninvasive, nonradiating modality, capable to assess cardiac function, perfusion and tissue characterization that can be of great diagnostic value in both primary and secondary systemic vasculitides. It has been already documented that CMR is superior to other imaging modalities, because it has great versatility and higher spatial resolution that allows the detection of early CVD phenomena occurring during systemic vasculitides. Magnetic resonance angiography and oedema-fibrosis imaging detect early CVD involvement such as acute and/or chronic inflammation, coronary macro-micro-circulation abnormalities and/or small vessel vasculitis.

SUMMARY

CMR due to its great versatility gives valuable information about cardiac function, perfusion, type of fibrosis and vascular integrity that may significantly contribute to treatment decisions beyond vascular scores, other disease activity or severity indices or the acute phase response.

Cardiovascular complications in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: does heart matter in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies?

This review presents a detailed study of original researches and previously published reviews concerning cardiovascular involvement in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). We aimed to summarize the current knowledge on the cardiac involvement in IIM, evaluate its impact on mortality and indicate areas still awaiting to be investigated. We searched MEDLINE database (until January 2019) and the reference lists of articles. Selection criteria included only published data, available in English, both original researches and reviews. Articles related to cardiovascular involvement in IIM were selected and analysed. The references were also screened, and relevant articles were included. Cardiovascular involvement is frequent in IIM but typically remains subclinical. Among far less prevalent symptomatic forms, congestive heart failure is the most common. Myocardium and conduction system seems to be predominantly affected. High rate of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction was observed. Non-specific changes of ST-T segment were the most common abnormalities in electrocardiography. Patients with IIM were more frequently affected by atrial fibrillation as compared with other autoimmune diseases. Increased risk of myocardial infarction was observed; furthermore, patients often develop comorbidities that enhance cardiovascular risk. Since cardiovascular disorders remain one of the major causes of death and subclinical involvement is frequent, active screening is justified. Growing availability of the novel imaging techniques may facilitate diagnosis. Correlation between myocardial involvement and the type of autoantibodies and impact of different therapeutic options on the progression of cardiovascular lesions require further studies.

Subclinical hypothyroidism and cardiovascular risk factors

INTRODUCTION

Thyroid hormones have multiple effects on lipid metabolism as well as on the cardiovascular system function. These negative cardiovascular effects have long been recognized in overt hypothyroidism but can be reversed by treatment with levothyroxine.

EVIDENCES ACQUISITION

We performed on PubMed a literature search for the articles published until March 2019 by using the search terms "subclinical hypothyroidism," "cardiovascular disease," "cholesterol," "LDL," "HDL," "triglycerides," "coronary heart disease," "heart failure," "atherosclerosis," "all-cause mortality," "levothyroxine."

EVIDENCES SYNTHESIS

Subclinical hypothyroidism, defined as an elevated thyrotropin (TSH) with a normal free thyroxine (FT4), is frequent in the general population and increase with age. Subclinical hypothyroidism has been linked to cardiovascular risk factors, dyslipidemia and increased atherosclerosis. Although some studies have demonstrated that lipids are elevated in subclinical hypothyroidism, other studies did not confirm these data. Clinical trials have also demonstrated there is no clear evidence that levothyroxine therapy in subjects with milder form (TSH<10 mU/L) of subclinical hypothyroidism could improve lipid status and the other cardiovascular risk factors. Nevertheless, TSH level seems the best predictor of cardiovascular disease, in particular when its levels are above 10 mU/L.

CONCLUSIONS

Prospective studies are necessary to clarify the cardiovascular risk in patients with mild subclinical hypothyroidism and to assess the importance of treating elderly people in order to improve or counteract the correlated risks. However, until clinical recommendations will be updated, the decision to treat or not treat patients with subclinical hypothyroidism will still base on clinical judgment, clinical practice guidelines, and expert opinion.

Therapeutic Potential of Oxytocin in Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: Mechanisms and Signaling Pathways

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major cardiovascular disease responsible for high morbidity and mortality worldwide. The major pathophysiological basis of CAD is atherosclerosis in association with varieties of immunometabolic disorders that can suppress oxytocin (OT) receptor (OTR) signaling in the cardiovascular system (CVS). By contrast, OT not only maintains cardiovascular integrity but also has the potential to suppress and even reverse atherosclerotic alterations and CAD. These protective effects of OT are associated with its protection of the heart and blood vessels from immunometabolic injuries and the resultant inflammation and apoptosis through both peripheral and central approaches. As a result, OT can decelerate the progression of atherosclerosis and facilitate the recovery of CVS from these injuries. At the cellular level, the protective effect of OT on CVS involves a broad array of OTR signaling events. These signals mainly belong to the reperfusion injury salvage kinase pathway that is composed of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt-endothelial nitric oxide synthase cascades and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2. Additionally, AMP-activated protein kinase, Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase signaling and many others are also implicated in OTR signaling in the CVS protection. These signaling events interact coordinately at many levels to suppress the production of inflammatory cytokines and the activation of apoptotic pathways. A particular target of these signaling events is endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and mitochondrial oxidative stress that interact through mitochondria-associated ER membrane. In contrast to these protective effects and machineries, rare but serious cardiovascular disturbances were also reported in labor induction and animal studies including hypotension, reflexive tachycardia, coronary spasm or thrombosis and allergy. Here, we review our current understanding of the protective effect of OT against varieties of atherosclerotic etiologies as well as the approaches and underlying mechanisms of these effects. Moreover, potential cardiovascular disturbances following OT application are also discussed to avoid unwanted effects in clinical trials of OT usages.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and cardiovascular disease

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) suffer cardiovascular events 1.5-2 fold than the general population, and cardiovascular (CV) events are leading cause of death in patients with RA. It is known that patients with RA have endothelial dysfunction, related with impaired function of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). The mechanistic pathways leading to endothelial function are complicated, but understanding these mechanisms may open new frontiers of management and therapies to patients suffering from atherosclerosis. Inflammation is a key factor in atherosclerosis, including endothelial function, plaque stabilization and post infarct remodeling; thus, inhibition of TNF-α may affect the inflammatory burden and plaque vulnerability leading to less cardiovascular events and myocardial infarctions. An aggressive management of inflammation may lead to a significant improvement in the clinical cardiovascular outcome of patients with RA. The clinical evidence that showed a reduced risk of CV events following treatment with anti-inflammatory agents may suggest a new approach to treat atherosclerosis, i.e., inhibition of inflammation using biological medications that were primarily aimed to treat the high scale inflammation of RA and other autoimmune-inflammatory diseases, but may be useful also to prevent progression of atherosclerosis.

Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome: Does Inflammation Matter?

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a systemic autoimmune disease mainly characterized by inflammatory involvement of exocrine gland. Atherosclerosis is a complex process leading to plaque formation in arterial wall with subsequent cardiovascular (CV) events. Recently, numerous studies demonstrated that SS patients bear an increased CV risk. Since activation of immune system is a key element in atherosclerosis, it is interesting to analyze whether and how the autoimmune and inflammatory events characterizing SS pathogenesis directly or indirectly contribute to atherosclerosis risk in these patients. An increase in circulating endothelial microparticles and integrins, which may be a consequence of endothelial damage and impaired repair mechanisms, has been demonstrated in SS. Increased endothelial expression of adhesion molecules with subsequent infiltration of inflammatory cells into arterial wall is also a critical event in atherosclerosis. The early inflammatory events taking place in the atherosclerotic plaque cause an increase in alarmins, such as S100A8/A9, which seems to be associated with SS disease activity and, in turn, induce up-regulation of interleukin (IL)-1β and other pro-atherogenic cytokines. Interestingly, increased IL-1β levels were also detected in tertiary lymphoid structures developing in vessel adventitia adjacent to the atherosclerotic plaque, suggesting a direct role of IL-1β in this process. Similar to these structures, germinal center-like structures arising in SS exocrine glands are also tertiary lymphoid systems where T-helper (Th) cell subsets govern the adaptive immune response. Th1 cells are the most prevalent subtype and have been shown to be strongly involved in both SS pathogenesis and atherosclerosis. Th17 cells are attracting great interest and few studies showed its importance in SS development. Albeit in low amounts, a Th17 signature was also detected in atherosclerotic plaques and some animal models demonstrated a significant pro-atherogenic role and positive effects of IL-17A blockade. Despite the fact that T cells have a pivotal role in the inflammatory process that ultimately leads to atherosclerosis, B cells have also been detected in atherosclerotic plaques, although their exact role is still mostly unknown with studies showing contrasting results. In this scenario, the role of inflammation in atherosclerosis pathogenesis in patients with SS needs to be further explored.

Meta-Analysis of Asymmetric Dimethylarginine Concentrations in Rheumatic Diseases

Raised circulating concentrations of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), have been reported in several rheumatic diseases (RDs). However, the strength of this relationship is unclear. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the magnitude and the robustness of the association between ADMA concentrations and RDs. We calculated standardized mean differences (SMD, with 95% confidence intervals, CI). Study heterogeneity was evaluated by meta-regressions and sensitivity analyses according to type of RDs, conventional cardiovascular risk factors, inflammatory markers, and type of ADMA assessment methodology. Thirty-seven studies with a total of 2,982 subjects (1,860 RDs patients and 1,122 healthy controls) were included in our meta-analysis. Pooled results showed that ADMA concentrations were significantly higher in patients with RDs than in healthy controls (SMD = 1.27 µmol/L, 95% CI 0.94–1.60 µmol/L; p < 0.001). However, the between-studies heterogeneity was high. Differences in ADMA concentrations between controls and RDs patients were not significantly associated with inflammatory markers, increasing age, lipid concentrations, body mass index, blood pressure, or methodology used to assess ADMA. Furthermore, subgroup analysis showed no difference across RDs. This meta-analysis showed that, in the context of significant between-study heterogeneity, circulating concentrations of ADMA are positively related to RDs.

Gender differences in cardiology: is it time for new guidelines?

: Despite cardiovascular disease (CVD) now being the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in women worldwide, this problem is still dramatically underestimated. The disparities in diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis between men and women are rooted in basic biological differences, as well as in the complex interactions of cultural and socioeconomic problems. This is why an up-to-date and gender-based revision of current guidelines is highly desirable.

Rethinking and new perspectives on cardiotoxicity of traditional Chinese medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been commonly used in clinical practice for thousands of years and has made enormous contributions to public health in China. However, the adverse effects on the cardiac system or TCM-induced cardiovascular diseases have emerged frequently in recent years, resulting in growing attention to the safety of TCM. Generally, TCM with adverse cardiac effects has typical therapeutic or toxic effects, which are based on specific material basis for efficacy/toxicity, specific clinical symptoms and toxic mechanisms. However, improper strategies adopted for research on the cardiotoxicity of TCM simply follow the basic principles of conventional toxicology and cause exaggerative or incorrect interpretations in the toxicity of TCM. In this review, we aim to present the classification and possible toxic mechanisms for TCM with cardiotoxicity based on the material basis for toxicity to rethink the existing problems in toxicity studies for TCM and provide new perspectives for research on the potential cardiotoxicity of TCM. We hope that this study can offer important theoretical support and scientific advice for the toxicity study and clinical rational use of TCM having cardiotoxicity.

Adipocytokines in Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Hidden Link between Inflammation and Cardiometabolic Comorbidities

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting typically synovial joints and leading to progressive articular damage, disability, and reduced quality of life. Despite better recent therapeutic strategies improving long-term outcomes, RA is associated with a high rate of comorbidities, infections, malignancies, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Remarkably, some well-known pathogenic proinflammatory mediators in RA, such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), may play a pivotal role in the development of CVD. Interestingly, different preclinical and clinical studies have suggested that biologic agents commonly used to treat RA patients may be effective in improving CVD. In this context, the contribution of adipocytokines has been suggested. Adipocytokines are pleiotropic molecules, mainly released by white adipose tissue and immune cells. Adipocytokines modulate the function of different tissues and cells, and in addition to energy homeostasis and metabolism, amplify inflammation, immune response, and tissue damage. Adipocytokines may contribute to the proinflammatory state in RA patients and development of bone damage. Furthermore, they could be associated with the occurrence of CVD. In this study, we reviewed available evidence about adipocytokines in RA, because of their involvement in disease activity, associated CVD, and possible biomarkers of prognosis and treatment outcome and because of their potential as a possible new therapeutic target.

Can cardiovascular magnetic resonance prompt early cardiovascular/rheumatic treatment in autoimmune rheumatic diseases? Current practice and future perspectives

Life expectancy in autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs) remains lower compared to the general population, due to various comoborbidities. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) represents the main contributor to premature mortality. Conventional and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) have considerably improved long-term outcomes in ARDs not only by suppressing systemic inflammation but also by lowering CVD burden. Regarding atherosclerotic disease prevention, EULAR has recommended tight disease control accompanied by regular assessment of traditional CVD risk factors and lifestyle changes. However, this approach, although rational and evidence-based, does not account for important issues such as myocardial inflammation and the long asymptomatic period that usually proceeds clinical manifestations of CVD disease in ARDs before or after the diagnosis of systemic disease. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) can offer reliable, reproducible and operator independent information regarding myocardial inflammation, ischemia and fibrosis. Some studies suggest a role for CMR in the risk stratification of ARDs and demonstrate that oedema/fibrosis visualisation with CMR may have the potential to inform cardiac and rheumatic treatment modification in ARDs with or without abnormal routine cardiac evaluation. In this review, we discuss how CMR findings could influence anti-rheumatic treatment decisions targeting optimal control of both systemic and myocardial inflammation irrespective of clinical manifestations of cardiac disease. CMR can provide a different approach that is very promising for risk stratification and treatment modification; however, further studies are needed before the inclusion of CMR in the routine evaluation and treatment of patients with ARDs.