The Biophysical Properties of the Aorta Are Altered Following Kawasaki Disease

Long-term vascular dysfunction in Kawasaki disease: systematic review and meta-analyses

BACKGROUND

Long-term physiological dysfunction in coronary/systemic vasculature may persist in individuals with Kawasaki disease even in the absence of coronary artery abnormalities. We perform a systematic review and meta-analyses of studies assessing long-term vascular function in Kawasaki disease.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched for relevant literature published till May 2021. Patients with Kawasaki disease were included as cases and healthy age/sex-matched individuals as controls. Newcastle Ottawa Scale was used to assess the study quality. Outcome measures were differences in markers of vascular function 1 year after diagnosis of Kawasaki disease. Data were analysed using Review Manager software. Comprehensive meta-analysis software was used for meta-regression. To assess the certainty of evidence, GRADE Profiler software was utilised.

RESULTS

Of 2280 citations, 49 case-control studies (comprising 2714 cases and 2118 controls) were included for data synthesis. Decreased flow-mediated dilatation [3.83, 95%CI 0.94-6.72] and increased pulse-wave velocity [39.34 cm/sec, 95%CI 20.86-57.83], arterial stiffness [0.35, 95%CI 0.11-0.59], and common carotid artery intima-media thickness were noted in patients with Kawasaki disease. No significant difference was observed for nitroglycerine-mediated dilatation and endothelial peripheral artery tonometry (endo-PAT). Significant inter-study heterogeneity was observed for flow-mediated dilatation, arterial stiffness, carotid artery intima-media thickness, and endo-PAT. The GRADE evidence was of 'very low quality' for all outcome measures except 'moderate quality' for pulse-wave velocity.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence suggests the presence of long-term endothelial dysfunction in patients with Kawasaki disease even in the absence of coronary artery abnormalities. Avoidance of development of other cardiovascular risk factors seems prudent in patients with Kawasaki disease.

Kawasaki Disease: Pathology, Risks, and Management

Kawasaki disease (KD), first reported as an acute febrile mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, is a self-limiting vasculitis of unknown etiology. The most important aspect of KD is the prevention of coronary artery lesion (CAL) because myocardial ischemia or infarction due to CAL might be lethal. In addition to the CAL, patients with KD develop systemic vasculitis, which indicates the presence of vascular endothelial damage. Studies assessing pulse wave velocity or percentage change in flow-mediated dilatation have shown that aortic stiffness is increased in patients with KD history. In contrast, the cardio-ankle vascular index, a novel parameter not affected by blood pressure, has not demonstrated increased aortic stiffness in patients with KD. Although many studies using various parameters have suggested a risk of atherosclerosis in patients with a history of KD, a few others have reported no significant differences between KD patients and controls. Therefore, it will be necessary to thoroughly understand the characteristics of each parameter, before evaluating the results of those studies, to understand systemic vascular dysfunction in these populations, and to manage their vascular health. Although it is controversial whether the risk of atherosclerosis in patients with KD is higher, those with CAL are thought to be at a high risk of atherosclerosis. Therefore, appropriate treatment to prevent CAL in the acute phase and subsequent regular follow-up is important. Here, we review the pathology, risk, and management of vascular disorders, especially systemic vascular disorders, in patients with KD history.

Inflammasomes in the Pathophysiology of Aortic Disease

Aortic diseases comprise aneurysms, dissections, and several other pathologies. In general, aging is associated with a slow but progressive dilation of the aorta, along with increased stiffness and pulse pressure. The progression of aortic disease is characterized by subclinical development or acute presentation. Recent evidence suggests that inflammation participates causally in different clinical manifestations of aortic diseases. As of yet, diagnostic imaging and surveillance is mainly based on ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Little medical therapy is available so far to prevent or treat the majority of aortic diseases. Endovascular therapy by the introduction of covered stentgrafts provides the main treatment option, although open surgery and implantation of synthetic grafts remain necessary in many situations. Because of the risks associated with surgery, there is a need for identification of pharmaceutical targets interfering with the pathophysiology of aortic remodeling. The participation of innate immunity and inflammasome activation in different cell types is common in aortic diseases. This review will thus focus on inflammasome activities in vascular cells of different chronic and acute aortic diseases and discuss their role in development and progression. We will also identify research gaps and suggest promising therapeutic targets, which may be used for future medical interventions.

Children with kawasaki disease present elevated stiffness of great arteries: Phase-contrast MRI study

BACKGROUND

Patients with diagnosed Kawasaki disease (KD) are known to develop extracardiac vascular lesions and are prone to accelerated stiffening of medium-size arteries.

PURPOSE

To noninvasively evaluate great vessel (central aorta and main pulmonary artery (MPA)) stiffness using phase-contrast MRI (PC-MRI).

STUDY TYPE

Retrospective review.

SUBJECTS

Thirty-three patients with previously diagnosed KD and 15 control subjects underwent PC-MRI evaluation.

FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE

A free-breathing PC-MRI sequence was applied with Cartesian encoding and retrospective sorting using a 1.5 or 3.0T system.

ASSESSMENT

We evaluated regionally specific vessel stiffness using pulse-wave velocity (PWV) and relative area change (RAC) at the ascending aorta, descending aorta, and MPA.

STATISTICAL TESTS

Hemodynamics among patients with KD and controls were compared using Student's t-test, Wilcoxon Rank-sum, and χ² . Additional group-specific comparisons were performed using Kruskal-Wallis or one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

RESULTS

Patients with KD showed elevated PWV in both ascending (5.0 ± 1.2 vs. 2.4 ± 0.5, P < 0.001) and descending aorta (4.4 ± 2.1 vs. 2.8 ± 0.8, P < 0.001). RAC was correspondingly reduced in both segments (both P < 0.01). PWV measured in MPA was increased in KD patients (2.2 ± 0.5 vs. 1.5 ± 0.6, P = 0.045) while the RAC was reduced (34 ± 6 vs. 47 ± 3, P = 0.045). There were no associations between considered vessel stiffness indices and respective ventricular size and function, functional indices, and no correlations were observed with KD severity markers.

DATA CONCLUSION

Patients with KD have elevated great vessel stiffness measured at the chronic stage of the disease. Accelerated stiffness process does not appear to affect biventricular function in youth Level of Evidence: 1 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1228-1236.

Diagnosis, Treatment, and Long-Term Management of Kawasaki Disease: A Scientific Statement for Health Professionals From the American Heart Association

BACKGROUND

Kawasaki disease is an acute vasculitis of childhood that leads to coronary artery aneurysms in ≈25% of untreated cases. It has been reported worldwide and is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children in developed countries.

METHODS AND RESULTS

To revise the previous American Heart Association guidelines, a multidisciplinary writing group of experts was convened to review and appraise available evidence and practice-based opinion, as well as to provide updated recommendations for diagnosis, treatment of the acute illness, and long-term management. Although the cause remains unknown, discussion sections highlight new insights into the epidemiology, genetics, pathogenesis, pathology, natural history, and long-term outcomes. Prompt diagnosis is essential, and an updated algorithm defines supplemental information to be used to assist the diagnosis when classic clinical criteria are incomplete. Although intravenous immune globulin is the mainstay of initial treatment, the role for additional primary therapy in selected patients is discussed. Approximately 10% to 20% of patients do not respond to initial intravenous immune globulin, and recommendations for additional therapies are provided. Careful initial management of evolving coronary artery abnormalities is essential, necessitating an increased frequency of assessments and escalation of thromboprophylaxis. Risk stratification for long-term management is based primarily on maximal coronary artery luminal dimensions, normalized as Z scores, and is calibrated to both past and current involvement. Patients with aneurysms require life-long and uninterrupted cardiology follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

These recommendations provide updated and best evidence-based guidance to healthcare providers who diagnose and manage Kawasaki disease, but clinical decision making should be individualized to specific patient circumstances.

Increased aortic intima-media thickness following Kawasaki disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The cardiovascular risk following Kawasaki disease (KD), especially in those without coronary artery changes or with regressed coronary artery lesions, is unclear. We assessed markers of early atherosclerosis in individuals following KD, including those with and without coronary artery abnormalities.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional case-control study of 60 patients (25 with always normal coronary arteries and 35 with abnormalities) and 60 controls, at least two years after KD. Non-invasive assessment of arterial structure (carotid and aortic intima-media thickness (IMT)) and function (pulse wave velocity, carotid artery distensibility and diameter compliance) was done. Analyses were adjusted for traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

RESULTS

Kawasaki disease patients had increased aortic IMT compared to controls (0.53 mm (95% CI 0.51-0.56) versus 0.49 (95% CI 0.47-0.52), p = 0.04), largely driven by those with abnormal coronary arteries. There were no differences in carotid IMT. Kawasaki disease patients with coronary artery abnormalities had reduced carotid distensibility compared to controls (15.16% (95% CI 13.67-16.65) versus 17.50 (95% CI 16.43-18.58), p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with KD have increased aortic IMT and reduced carotid distensibility, indicating heightened cardiovascular risk, especially in those with coronary artery abnormalities. In our study, we used validated surrogates for cardiovascular disease risk. Our findings, therefore, warrant follow-up investigations in KD patients.

Evidence of Microvascular Changes in the Retina following Kawasaki Disease

It is unclear whether all children with Kawasaki disease (KD) have increased later cardiovascular risk. The retinal microvasculature reflects changes in the microcirculation and is associated with traditional cardiovascular risk factors and events. The aim of this study was to investigate retinal microvascular parameters in two populations of patients with previous KD and control participants. We performed case-control studies of 116 (57 patients and 59 control participants) Australian and 156 (78 patients and 78 control participants) Singaporean individuals, at least two years since their acute illness. Standardised retinal photographs were graded by trained technicians using a semi-automated software, which quantifies the retinal microvasculature (calibre, branching angle, fractal dimensions, and tortuosity). Retinal venules of Singaporean KD patients were 9.67 μm (95% CI 4.87 to 14.51, p < 0.001) larger than control participants following correction for traditional cardiovascular risk factors. An incremental increase in the size of retinal venules in those with coronary artery abnormalities was observed. There was limited evidence that retinal venules were larger in Australian KD patients with coronary artery abnormalities compared to control participants (7.34 μm, 95% CI 1.30 to 15.99, p = 0.10). Differences in retinal microvasculature were particularly evident in Singaporean KD patients. Larger retinal venules may reflect chronic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, and are associated with coronary artery disease in adults.

Pulse Wave Velocity in Kawasaki Disease

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute childhood febrile disease of unknown etiology. It exhibits not only coronary artery aneurysms in some cases but also systemic vasculitis. Whether KD is associated with accelerated atherosclerosis remains debatable. The measurement of pulse wave velocity (PWV) is useful as a simple, noninvasive measurement of arterial stiffness, an atherosclerotic manifestation. We herein present a systematic review of clinical studies that focused on PWV in patients with KD. A PubMed-based search identified 8 eligible studies published until June 2015. The PWV of patients with KD, regardless of antecedent coronary artery lesions, was high relative to controls, even though their blood pressure appeared to be similar. Although definitive conclusions cannot be made with the limited information, patients with KD may be at risk of systemic atherosclerosis in association with arterial stiffness. Further research, including longitudinal and outcome studies, is needed to determine the clinical significance of a potential increase in PWV in patients with KD.

Kawasaki disease and cardiovascular risk: a comprehensive review of subclinical vascular changes in the longer term

Studies of subclinical vascular changes post-Kawasaki disease indicate that, in general, individuals with a history of coronary artery aneurysms have increased carotid intima-media thickness, evidence of endothelial dysfunction, and increased arterial stiffness, possibly indicative of heightened cardiovascular risk. The results are less consistent for low-risk groups.

CONCLUSION

Until data are available from larger prospective studies, it is prudent to advise families of individuals with a history of Kawasaki disease to minimise traditional modifiable cardiovascular risk factors.

Noninvasive Imaging of Flow and Vascular Function in Disease of the Aorta

With advancements in technology and a better understanding of human cardiovascular physiology, research as well as clinical care can go beyond dimensional anatomy offered by traditional imaging and investigate aortic functional properties and the impact disease has on this function. Linking the knowledge of the histopathological changes with the alterations in aortic function observed on noninvasive imaging results in a better understanding of disease pathophysiology. Translating this to clinical medicine, these noninvasive imaging assessments of aortic function are proving to be able to diagnose disease, better predict risk, and assess response to therapies. This review is designed to summarize the various hemodynamic measures that can characterize the aorta, the various noninvasive techniques, and applications for various disease states.

Ascending Aorta Elastography After Kawasaki Disease Compared to Systemic Hypertension

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis, classically affecting large- and medium-size arteries. The coronary arteries draw most of the clinical attention, whereas few studies have taken interest in the ascending aorta. Using a proprietary imaging-based mechanical biomarker (ImBioMark), we sought to determine aortic stiffness in KD compared to systemic hypertension (HTN) and healthy children. We evaluated parasternal long-axis views focused on the ascending aorta in 20 controls, 12 KD, and 8 HTN as a comparative clinical model of vascular stiffness. We calculated systolic and diastolic aortic wall strain with ImBioMark. Strain was tested for normality against height, systolic, and diastolic blood pressure in normal subjects. Strain from KD and HTN was normalized (Z score) accordingly. Z score comparisons were performed using nonparametric statistics. Age was similar between KD and HTN (9.1 ± 5.3 and 9.9 ± 5.3 years old; p = NS). Systolic and diastolic strain values were normally distributed against height, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure in healthy subjects. HTN subjects had abnormal systolic and diastolic strain values (p < 0.0001). Whereas KD subjects had normal diastolic strain, systolic strain was significantly lower (p < 0.001), and systolic strain was intermediate between controls and HTN. There were no significant differences in aortic strain among KD, however, according to the presence of coronary artery aneurysms. Despite normal blood pressure, the ascending aorta in KD exhibits reduced strain during systole. This may reflect in situ rigidity of the aorta. The normal diastolic strain in KD may, in contrast, reflect normal peripheral vascular resistance.

Vascular health late after Kawasaki disease: implications for accelerated atherosclerosis

Kawasaki disease (KD), an acute vasculitis that primarily affects young children, is the most common acquired paediatric cardiovascular disease in developed countries. While sequelae of arterial inflammation in the acute phase of KD are well documented, its late effects on vascular health are increasingly unveiled. Late vascular dysfunction is characterized by structural alterations and functional impairment in term of arterial stiffening and endothelial dysfunction and shown to involve both coronary and systemic arteries. Further evidence suggests that continuous low grade inflammation and ongoing active remodeling of coronary arterial lesions occur late after acute illness and may play a role in structural and functional alterations of the arteries. Potential importance of genetic modulation on vascular health late after KD is implicated by associations between mannose binding lectin and inflammatory gene polymorphisms with severity of peripheral arterial stiffening and carotid intima-media thickening. The changes in cholesterol and lipoproteins levels late after KD further appear similar to those proposed to be atherogenic. While data on adverse vascular health are less controversial in patients with persistent or regressed coronary arterial aneurysms, data appear conflicting in individuals with no coronary arterial involvements or only transient coronary ectasia. Notwithstanding, concerns have been raised with regard to predisposition of KD in childhood to accelerated atherosclerosis in adulthood. Until further evidence-based data are available, however, it remains important to assess and monitor cardiovascular risk factors and to promote cardiovascular health in children with a history of KD in the long term.