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Nayfeh M, DiGregorio H, Saad JM, Al-Mallah M, Al Rifai M. The Emerging Specialty of Cardio-Rheumatology. Curr Atheroscler Rep 2024:10.1007/s11883-024-01221-7. [PMID: 38913292 DOI: 10.1007/s11883-024-01221-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW In this review, we aimed to summarize the different aspects of the field of cardio-rheumatology, the role of the cardio-rheumatologist, and future research in the field. RECENT FINDINGS Cardio-rheumatology is an emerging subspecialty within cardiology that focuses on addressing the intricate relationship between systemic inflammation and cardiovascular diseases. It involves understanding the cardiovascular impact of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases on the heart and vascular system. A cardio-rheumatologist's role is multifaceted. First, they should understand the cardiac manifestations of rheumatological diseases. They should also be knowledgeable about the different immunotherapies available and side effects. Additionally, they should know how to utilize imaging modalities, either for diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment monitoring. This field is constantly evolving with new research on both treatment and imaging of the effects of inflammation on the cardiovascular system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malek Nayfeh
- Houston Methodist Academic Institute, Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, 6550 Fannin Street, Smith Tower - Suite 1801, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | | | | | - Mouaz Al-Mallah
- Houston Methodist Academic Institute, Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, 6550 Fannin Street, Smith Tower - Suite 1801, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Mahmoud Al Rifai
- Houston Methodist Academic Institute, Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, 6550 Fannin Street, Smith Tower - Suite 1801, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Weill Cornell Medicine, Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, 6550 Fannin Street, Smith Tower - Suite 1801, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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2
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Tsuda T, Patel G. Coronary microvascular dysfunction in childhood: An emerging pathological entity and its clinical implications. AMERICAN HEART JOURNAL PLUS : CARDIOLOGY RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2024; 42:100392. [PMID: 38680649 PMCID: PMC11046079 DOI: 10.1016/j.ahjo.2024.100392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) encompasses a spectrum of structural and functional alterations in coronary microvasculature resulting in impaired coronary blood flow and consequent myocardial ischemia without obstruction in epicardial coronary artery. The pathogenesis of CMD is complex involving both functional and structural alteration in the coronary microcirculation. In adults, CMD is predominantly discussed in context with anginal chest pain or existing ischemic heart disease and its risk factors. The presence of CMD suggests increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events independent of coronary atherosclerosis. Coronary microvascular dysfunction is also known in children but is rarely recognized due to paucity of concommitent coronary artery disease. Thus, its clinical presentation, underlying mechanism of impaired microcirculation, and prognostic significance are poorly understood. In this review article, we will overview variable CMD reported in children and delineate its emerging clinical significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Tsuda
- Nemours Cardiac Center, Nemours Children's Health, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Gina Patel
- Nemours Cardiac Center, Nemours Children's Health, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
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3
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Mavrogeni SI, Fotis L, Matucci-Cerinic M. Editorial: Cardiovascular involvement in autoimmune diseases, volume II. Front Cardiovasc Med 2024; 11:1352268. [PMID: 38357516 PMCID: PMC10864634 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1352268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie I. Mavrogeni
- Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Lambros Fotis
- Third Department of Pediatrics, Attikon Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases (UnIRAR), St Rafael University Hospital, Milan, Italy
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4
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Małek ŁA, Śpiewak M. Isolated myocardial edema in cardiac magnetic resonance - in search of a management strategy. Trends Cardiovasc Med 2023; 33:395-402. [PMID: 35405307 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcm.2022.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Isolated myocardial edema not accompanied by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) may be occasionally found on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). This type of picture may be encountered in patients with suspected myocarditis, post some acute cardiac events, with cardiac allograft rejection or even in athletes after an extreme exercise. Currently, there is no clear management strategy for this type of incidental finding. In this narrative review we discuss the methods and pitfalls of edema detection with means of CMR, review published data on isolated myocardial edema for each of the most probable clinical scenarios and propose a structured clinical decision-making algorithm to help clinicians navigate through this type of CMR result. Finally, we highlight the most important gaps in evidence related to isolated myocardial edema without fibrosis, where further research is particularly needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz A Małek
- Department of Epidemiology, Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, National Institute of Cardiology, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Mateusz Śpiewak
- Magnetic Resonance Unit, Department of Radiology, National Institute of Cardiology, Warsaw, Poland
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5
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Gulhane A, Ordovas K. Cardiac magnetic resonance assessment of cardiac involvement in autoimmune diseases. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1215907. [PMID: 37808881 PMCID: PMC10556673 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1215907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is emerging as the modality of choice to assess early cardiovascular involvement in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs) that often has a silent presentation and may lead to changes in management. Besides being reproducible and accurate for functional and volumetric assessment, the strength of CMR is its unique ability to perform myocardial tissue characterization that allows the identification of inflammation, edema, and fibrosis. Several CMR biomarkers may provide prognostic information on the severity and progression of cardiovascular involvement in patients with ARDs. In addition, CMR may add value in assessing treatment response and identification of cardiotoxicity related to therapy with immunomodulators that are commonly used to treat these conditions. In this review, we aim to discuss the following objectives: •Illustrate imaging findings of multi-parametric CMR approach in the diagnosis of cardiovascular involvement in various ARDs;•Review the CMR signatures for risk stratification, prognostication, and guiding treatment strategies in ARDs;•Describe the utility of routine and advanced CMR sequences in identifying cardiotoxicity related to immunomodulators and disease-modifying agents in ARDs;•Discuss the limitations of CMR, recent advances, current research gaps, and potential future developments in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avanti Gulhane
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States
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6
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Sinigiani G, De Michieli L, De Conti G, Ricci F, De Lazzari M, Migliore F, Perazzolo Marra M, Zorzi A, Corrado D, Cipriani A. Cardiac Magnetic Resonance-Detected Acute Myocardial Edema as Predictor of Favourable Prognosis: A Comprehensive Review. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2023; 10:319. [PMID: 37623332 PMCID: PMC10455433 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd10080319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myocardial edema (AME) is increased water content in the myocardium and represents the first and transient pathophysiological response to an acute myocardial injury. In-vivo and non-invasive evaluation is feasible with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), which is a powerful imaging technique capable of tissue characterization. In the clinical setting, early demonstration of AME has a recognized diagnostic value for acute coronary syndromes and acute myocarditis, although its prognostic value is not well established. This article provides a comprehensive narrative review on the clinical meaning of AME in heart diseases. In particular, the available evidence of a possible favourable prognostic value in several clinical scenarios is addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Sinigiani
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Laura De Michieli
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Giorgio De Conti
- Radiology Unit, Department of Medicine, Institute of Radiology, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Ricci
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, G. D’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Manuel De Lazzari
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Federico Migliore
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Martina Perazzolo Marra
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Alessandro Zorzi
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Domenico Corrado
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Alberto Cipriani
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy
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7
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Georgiadis AN, Pelechas E, Voulgari PV, Drosos AA. Correspondence on 'Cardiovascular effects of biological versus csDMARD therapy in treatment naive, early rheumatoid arthritis'. Ann Rheum Dis 2023; 82:e89. [PMID: 33558259 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-219891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Athanasios N Georgiadis
- Rheumatology Clinic, Internal Medicine, University of Ioannina Faculty of Medicine, Ioannina, Epirus, Greece
| | - Eleftherios Pelechas
- Rheumatology Clinic, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Ioannina Faculty of Medicine, Ioannina, Epirus, Greece
| | - Paraskevi V Voulgari
- Rheumatology Clinic, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Ioannina Faculty of Medicine, Ioannina, Epirus, Greece
| | - Alexandros A Drosos
- Rheumatology Clinic, Internal Medicine, University of Ioannina Faculty of Medicine, Ioannina, Epirus, Greece
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8
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Markousis-Mavrogenis G, Belegrinos A, Giannakopoulou A, Papavasiliou A, Koulouri V, Marketos N, Patsilinakou E, Lazarioti F, Bacopoulou F, Mavragani CP, Chrousos GP, Mavrogeni SI. Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Demonstrates Myocardial Inflammation of Differing Etiologies and Acuities in Patients with Genetic and Inflammatory Myopathies. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12041575. [PMID: 36836108 PMCID: PMC9961874 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12041575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Myopathies are heterogeneous neuromuscular diseases of genetic and/or inflammatory etiology that affect both cardiac and skeletal muscle. We investigated the prevalence of cardiac inflammation in patients with myopathies, cardiovascular symptoms, and normal echocardiography using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). METHODS We prospectively evaluated 51 patients with various genetic (n = 23) and inflammatory (n = 28) myopathies (median age, IQR: 12 (11-15) years, 22% girls; 61 (55-65) years, 46% women, respectively) and compared their CMR findings to corresponding age- and sex-matched controls (n = 21 and 20, respectively) and to each other. RESULTS Patients with genetic myopathy had similar biventricular morphology and function to healthy controls but showed higher late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), native T1 mapping, extracellular volume fraction (ECV), and T2 mapping values. Collectively, 22 (95.7%) patients with genetic myopathy had a positive T1-criterion and 3 (13.0%) had a positive T2-criterion according to the updated Lake Louise criteria. Compared with healthy controls, patients with inflammatory myopathy showed preserved left ventricular (LV) function and reduced LV mass, while all CMR-derived tissue characterization indices were significantly higher (p < 0.001 for all). All patients had a positive T1-criterion, and 27 (96.4%) had a positive T2-criterion. A positive T2-criterion or T2-mapping > 50 ms could discriminate between patients with genetic and inflammatory myopathies with a sensitivity of 96.4% and a specificity of 91.3% (AUC = 0.9557). CONCLUSIONS The vast majority of symptomatic patients with inflammatory myopathies and normal echocardiography show evidence of acute myocardial inflammation. In contrast, acute inflammation is rare in patients with genetic myopathies, who show evidence of chronic low-grade inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Markousis-Mavrogenis
- Olympic Diagnostic/Research Center, 17674 Athens, Greece
- Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, 17674 Athens, Greece
| | - Antonios Belegrinos
- Faculty of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15772 Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - Vasiliki Koulouri
- Department of Physiology “Molecular Physiology and Clinical Applications Unit”, Faculty of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Marketos
- Department of Physiology “Molecular Physiology and Clinical Applications Unit”, Faculty of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - Flora Bacopoulou
- University Research Institute for Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Center for Adolescent Medicine and UNESCO Chair in Adolescent Health Care, First Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Clio P. Mavragani
- Department of Physiology “Molecular Physiology and Clinical Applications Unit”, Faculty of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Attikon Hospital, 12462 Athens, Greece
| | - George P. Chrousos
- University Research Institute for Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Center for Adolescent Medicine and UNESCO Chair in Adolescent Health Care, First Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Sophie I. Mavrogeni
- Olympic Diagnostic/Research Center, 17674 Athens, Greece
- Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, 17674 Athens, Greece
- University Research Institute for Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Center for Adolescent Medicine and UNESCO Chair in Adolescent Health Care, First Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence:
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9
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du Toit R, Karamchand S, Doubell AF, Reuter H, Herbst PG. Lupus myocarditis: review of current diagnostic modalities and their application in clinical practice. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2023; 62:523-534. [PMID: 35861382 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keac409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Lupus myocarditis (LM) is a potentially fatal manifestation of SLE, occurring in 5-10% of patients. Clinical manifestations may vary from an unexplained tachycardia to fulminant congestive cardiac failure (CCF). With no single clinical or imaging modality being diagnostic, a rational and practical approach to the patient presenting with possible LM is essential. Markers of myocyte injury (including troponin I and creatine kinase) may be unelevated and do not exclude a diagnosis of LM. Findings on ECG are non-specific but remain essential to exclude other causes of CCF such as an acute coronary syndrome or conduction disorders. Echocardiographic modalities including wall motion abnormalities and speckle tracking echocardiography may demonstrate regional and/or global left ventricular dysfunction and is more sensitive than conventional echocardiography, especially early in the course of LM. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) is regarded as the non-invasive diagnostic modality of choice in myocarditis. While more sensitive and specific than echocardiography, CMRI has certain limitations in the context of SLE, including technical challenges in acutely unwell and uncooperative patients, contraindications to gadolinium use in the context of renal impairment (including lupus nephritis) and limited literature regarding the application of recommended diagnostic CMRI criteria in SLE. Both echocardiography as well as CMRI may detect subclinical myocardial dysfunction and/or injury of which the clinical significance remains uncertain. Considering these challenges, a combined decision-making approach by rheumatologists and cardiologists interpreting diagnostic test results within the clinical context of the patient is essential to ensure an accurate, early diagnosis of LM.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Helmuth Reuter
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
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10
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Mavrogeni S, Pepe A, Nijveldt R, Ntusi N, Sierra-Galan LM, Bratis K, Wei J, Mukherjee M, Markousis-Mavrogenis G, Gargani L, Sade LE, Ajmone-Marsan N, Seferovic P, Donal E, Nurmohamed M, Cerinic MM, Sfikakis P, Kitas G, Schwitter J, Lima JAC, Dawson D, Dweck M, Haugaa KH, Keenan N, Moon J, Stankovic I, Donal E, Cosyns B. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance in autoimmune rheumatic diseases: a clinical consensus document by the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging 2022; 23:e308-e322. [PMID: 35808990 DOI: 10.1093/ehjci/jeac134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs) involve multiple organs including the heart and vasculature. Despite novel treatments, patients with ARDs still experience a reduced life expectancy, partly caused by the higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This includes CV inflammation, rhythm disturbances, perfusion abnormalities (ischaemia/infarction), dysregulation of vasoreactivity, myocardial fibrosis, coagulation abnormalities, pulmonary hypertension, valvular disease, and side-effects of immunomodulatory therapy. Currently, the evaluation of CV involvement in patients with ARDs is based on the assessment of cardiac symptoms, coupled with electrocardiography, blood testing, and echocardiography. However, CVD may not become overt until late in the course of the disease, thus potentially limiting the therapeutic window for intervention. More recently, cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) has allowed for the early identification of pathophysiologic structural/functional alterations that take place before the onset of clinically overt CVD. CMR allows for detailed evaluation of biventricular function together with tissue characterization of vessels/myocardium in the same examination, yielding a reliable assessment of disease activity that might not be mirrored by blood biomarkers and other imaging modalities. Therefore, CMR provides diagnostic information that enables timely clinical decision-making and facilitates the tailoring of treatment to individual patients. Here we review the role of CMR in the early and accurate diagnosis of CVD in patients with ARDs compared with other non-invasive imaging modalities. Furthermore, we present a consensus-based decision algorithm for when a CMR study could be considered in patients with ARDs, together with a standardized study protocol. Lastly, we discuss the clinical implications of findings from a CMR examination.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Mavrogeni
- Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Leof. Andrea Siggrou 356, Kallithea 176 74, Greece.,Exercise Physiology and Sport Medicine Clinic, Center for Adolescent Medicine and UNESCO Chair in Adolescent Health Care, First Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece
| | - A Pepe
- Institute of Radiology, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy
| | - R Nijveldt
- Department of Cardiology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - N Ntusi
- University of Cape Town & Groote Schuur Hospital, City of Cape Town, 7700 Western Cape, South Africa
| | - L M Sierra-Galan
- Department of Cardiology, American British Cowdray Medical Center, 05330 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - K Bratis
- Department of Cardiology, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester M13 9WL, UK
| | - J Wei
- Barbra Streisand Women's Heart Center, Cedars-Sinai Smidt Heart Institute, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA.,Preventive and Rehabilitative Cardiac Center, Cedars-Sinai Smidt Heart Institute, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - M Mukherjee
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | | | - L Gargani
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - L E Sade
- University of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Heart and Vascular Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.,Department of Cardiology, Baskent University, 06790 Ankara, Turkey
| | - N Ajmone-Marsan
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2311 EZ Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - P Seferovic
- Department of Cardiology, Belgrade University, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - E Donal
- Université RENNES-1, CHU, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - M Nurmohamed
- Amsterdam Rheumatology Immunology Center, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - M Matucci Cerinic
- Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy.,Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases (UnIRAR), IRCCS, San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - P Sfikakis
- First Department of Propeudeutic and Internal medicine, Laikon Hospital, Athens University Medical School, 115 27 Athens, Greece
| | - G Kitas
- Arthritis Research UK Epidemiology Unit, Manchester University, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - J Schwitter
- Lausanne University Hospital, CHUV, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.,Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, 1015 UniL, Switzerland.,Director CMR Center of the University Hospital Lausanne, CHUV, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - J A C Lima
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
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Markousis-Mavrogenis G, Bacopoulou F, Mavragani C, Voulgari P, Kolovou G, Kitas GD, Chrousos GP, Mavrogeni SI. Coronary microvascular disease: The "Meeting Point" of Cardiology, Rheumatology and Endocrinology. Eur J Clin Invest 2022; 52:e13737. [PMID: 34939183 DOI: 10.1111/eci.13737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exertional chest pain/dyspnea or chest pain at rest are the main symptoms of coronary artery disease (CAD), which are traditionally attributed to insufficiency of the epicardial coronary arteries. However, 2/3 of women and 1/3 of men with angina and 10% of patients with acute myocardial infarction have no evidence of epicardial coronary artery stenosis in X-ray coronary angiography. In these cases, coronary microvascular disease (CMD) is the main causative factor. AIMS To present the pathophysiology of CMD in Cardiology, Rheumatology and Endocrinology. MATERIALS-METHODS The pathophysiology of CMD in Cardiology, Rheumatology and Endocrinology was evaluated. It includes impaired microvascular vasodilatation, which leads to inability of the organism to deal with myocardial oxygen needs and, hence, development of ischemic pain. CMD, observed in inflammatory autoimmune rheumatic and endocrine/metabolic disorders, brings together Cardiology, Rheumatology and Endocrinology. Causative factors include persistent systemic inflammation and endocrine/metabolic abnormalities influencing directly the coronary microvasculature. In the past, the evaluation of microcirculation was feasible only with the use of invasive techniques, such as coronary flow reserve assessment. Currently, the application of advanced imaging modalities, such as cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), can evaluate CMD non-invasively and without ionizing radiation. RESULTS CMD may present with a variety of symptoms with 1/3 to 2/3 of them expressed as typical chest pain in effort, more commonly found in women during menopause than in men. Atypical presentation includes chest pain at rest or exertional dyspnea,but post exercise symptoms are not uncommon. The treatment with nitrates is less effective in CMD, because their vasodilator action in coronary micro-circulation is less pronounced than in the epicardial coronary arteries. DISCUSSION Although both classic and new medications have been used in the treatment of CMD, there are still many questions regarding both the pathophysiology and the treatment of this disorder. The potential effects of anti-rheumatic and endocrine medications on the evolution of CMD need further evaluation. CONCLUSION CMD is a multifactorial disease leading to myocardial ischemia/fibrosis alone or in combination with epicardial coronary artery disease. Endothelial dysfunction/vasospasm, systemic inflammation, and/or neuroendocrine activation may act as causative factors and bring Cardiology, Rheumatology and Endocrinology together. Currently, the application of advanced imaging modalities, and specifically CMR, allows reliable assessment of the extent and severity of CMD. These measurements should not be limited to "pure cardiac patients", as it is known that CMD affects the majority of patients with autoimmune rheumatic and endocrine/metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Flora Bacopoulou
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Clio Mavragani
- Pathophysiology Department, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Genovefa Kolovou
- Onassis Cardiac Surgery Hospital, Athens, Greece.,Epidemiology Department, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - George D Kitas
- Epidemiology Department, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - George P Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
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12
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Farrell C, Balasubramanian A, Hays AG, Hsu S, Rowe S, Zimmerman SL, Hassoun PM, Mathai SC, Mukherjee M. A Clinical Approach to Multimodality Imaging in Pulmonary Hypertension. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 8:794706. [PMID: 35118142 PMCID: PMC8804287 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.794706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a clinical condition characterized by progressive elevations in mean pulmonary artery pressures and right ventricular dysfunction, associated with significant morbidity and mortality. For resting PH to develop, ~50-70% of the pulmonary vasculature must be affected, suggesting that even mild hemodynamic abnormalities are representative of advanced pulmonary vascular disease. The definitive diagnosis of PH is based upon hemodynamics measured by right heart catheterization; however this is an invasive and resource intense study. Early identification of pulmonary vascular disease offers the opportunity to improve outcomes by instituting therapies that slow, reverse, or potentially prevent this devastating disease. Multimodality imaging, including non-invasive modalities such as echocardiography, computed tomography, ventilation perfusion scans, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, has emerged as an integral tool for screening, classifying, prognosticating, and monitoring response to therapy in PH. Additionally, novel imaging modalities such as echocardiographic strain imaging, 3D echocardiography, dual energy CT, FDG-PET, and 4D flow MRI are actively being investigated to assess the severity of right ventricular dysfunction in PH. In this review, we will describe the utility and clinical application of multimodality imaging techniques across PH subtypes as it pertains to screening and monitoring of PH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Farrell
- Division of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Aparna Balasubramanian
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Allison G. Hays
- Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Steven Hsu
- Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Steven Rowe
- Division of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Stefan L. Zimmerman
- Division of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Paul M. Hassoun
- Division of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Stephen C. Mathai
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Monica Mukherjee
- Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
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13
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Weiß K, Schmidt WA, Krause A, Schäfer VS. A study on echocardiographic findings in hospitalized patients with connective tissue diseases. Scand J Rheumatol 2021; 51:142-151. [PMID: 34229550 DOI: 10.1080/03009742.2021.1911053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of echocardiographic findings and their change over time in patients with connective tissue diseases (CTDs) and to analyse which findings were associated with escalation of immunosuppressive therapy. METHOD We conducted a retrospective cohort study of consecutive hospitalized patients from a tertiary rheumatology referral centre who received transthoracic echocardiography between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2015. We tested for associations between echocardiographic findings and treatment escalation via Fisher's exact test; p < 0.05 was considered significant. Escalation of therapy was defined by dosage of glucocorticoids and type of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug. The clinical relevance of echocardiographic findings concerning change in immunosuppressive therapy was recorded. RESULTS In total, 1004 patients were included (865 females), with a total of 1660 echocardiographic examinations. The most frequent findings were mitral, tricuspid, and aortic valve regurgitation (found in 36.7%, 25.4%, and 17.7% of all patients), aortic valve sclerosis (20.1%), left ventricular dysfunction (21.5%), and left atrial dilatation (19.2%). Only pericardial effusions were more frequent in cases with treatment escalation (10.9% of cases with escalated therapy vs 6.9% of cases without, p = 0.007). In 314 patients who received follow-up examinations, echocardiographic findings were found to change between examinations. Only 73 of all 1660 examinations were discussed in depth considering the treatment strategy in the hospital discharge letter. CONCLUSION Patients with CTDs exhibited a wide, dynamically changing spectrum of echocardiographic abnormalities. Most findings neither reflected disease activity nor appeared to influence the therapeutic regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Weiß
- Department of Internal Medicine, Asklepios Nordseeklinik Westerland GmbH, Sylt, Germany
| | - W A Schmidt
- Department of Rheumatology, Immanuel Krankenhaus Berlin Buch, Berlin, Germany
| | - A Krause
- Department of Rheumatology, Immanuel Krankenhaus Berlin Buch, Berlin, Germany
| | - V S Schäfer
- Clinic of Internal Medicine III, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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14
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du Toit R, Reuter H, Walzl G, Snyders C, Chegou NN, Herbst PG, Doubell AF. Serum cytokine levels associated with myocardial injury in systemic lupus erythematosus. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021; 60:2010-2021. [PMID: 33221897 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keaa540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To identify cytokines, markers of endothelial activation [soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1)] and myocyte strain [soluble ST2 (sST2)] associated with myocardial injury (MInj) in SLE, classified by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) criteria. METHODS CMR was performed on patients with SLE, identifying stages of MInj (inflammation and necrosis or fibrosis). Data captured included: clinical assessment, laboratory and serological analyses, cytokine (IL-1β, IL-1Ra, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, IL-18, TNF-alpha), sVCAM-1 and sST2 levels. Cytokines were compared with regard to SLE features and evidence of CMR MInj. Predictors of CMR MInj were determined through regression analyses. RESULTS Forty-one patients with high disease activity (SLEDAI-2K: 13; IQR: 3-17) were included. SLE features included: LN (n = 12), neurolupus (n = 6) and clinical lupus myocarditis (LM) (n = 6). Nineteen patients had CMR evidence of MInj. Patients with a SLEDAI-2K ≥ 12 had higher sVCAM-1 (P = 0.010) and sST2 (P = 0.032) levels. Neurolupus was associated with higher IL-1Ra (P = 0.038) and LN with lower IL-1Ra (P = 0.025) and sVCAM-1 (P = 0.036) levels. Higher IL-1Ra (P = 0.012), IL-17 (P = 0.045), IL-18 (P = 0.003), and sVCAM-1 (P = 0.062) levels were observed in patients with CMR MInj compared with those without. On multivariable logistic regression, IL-1Ra predicted CMR inflammation and fibrosis/necrosis (P < 0.005) while anti-Ro/SSA [odds ratio (OR): 1.197; P = 0.035] and the SLE damage index (OR: 4.064; P = 0.011) predicted fibrosis/necrosis. CONCLUSION This is a novel description of associations between cytokines and SLE MInj. IL-18 and IL-1Ra were significantly higher in patients with MInj. IL-1Ra independently predicted different stages of CMR MInj. Exploration of the role of these cytokines in the pathogenesis of SLE MInj may promote targeted therapies for LM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riëtte du Toit
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Helmuth Reuter
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.,Institute of Orthopaedics and Rheumatology, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Gerhard Walzl
- DST-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research; South African Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research; Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, PO Box 241, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Candice Snyders
- DST-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research; South African Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research; Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, PO Box 241, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Novel N Chegou
- DST-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research; South African Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research; Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, PO Box 241, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Phillip G Herbst
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Anton F Doubell
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
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15
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Fragoulis GE, Soulaidopoulos S, Sfikakis PP, Dimitroulas T, D Kitas G. Effect of Biologics on Cardiovascular Inflammation: Mechanistic Insights and Risk Reduction. J Inflamm Res 2021; 14:1915-1931. [PMID: 34017189 PMCID: PMC8131071 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s282691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
It is increasingly recognized that atherosclerosis and consequently cardiovascular disease (CVD) are closely linked with inflammatory processes. The latter is in the center of the pathogenic mechanism underlying autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARD). It follows then, that optimal control of inflammation in ARDs may lead to a decrease of the accompanied CVD risk. Major trials (eg, CANTOS, CIRT), aimed at examining the possible benefits of immunomodulatory treatments in CVD, demonstrated conflicting results. On the other hand, substantial evidence is accumulating about the possible beneficial effects of biologic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) in patients with ARDs, particularly those with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It seems that bDMARDs (some more than others) alter the lipid profile in RA patients but do not adversely affect, in most cases, the TC/HDL ratio. Favorable effects are noted for arterial stiffness and endothelial function. This is reflected in the lower risk for CVD events, seen in observational studies of RA patients treated with bDMARDs. It should be stressed that more data exist for the TNF-inhibitors than for other bDMARDs, such as tocilizumab, abatacept and rituximab. As regards the spondyloarthropathies (SpA), data are less robust. For TNF-inhibitors, effects appear to be on par with those seen in RA but no conclusions can be drawn for newer biologic drugs used in SpA (eg, IL-17 blockers). Finally, there is accumulating evidence for a beneficial effect of immunosuppressive treatment in cardiac inflammation and function in several ARDs. Introduction of newer therapeutic options in clinical practice seem to have a positive impact on CVD in the setting of ARD. This is probably due to better control of inflammation, but direct improvement in vascular pathology is also a valid hypothesis. Most data are derived from observational studies and, therefore, randomized controlled trials are needed to assess the possible favorable effect of bDMARDs on CVD outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- George E Fragoulis
- Rheumatology Unit, Joint Rheumatology Program, Medical School, First Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Laiko" General Hospital, Athens, 115 27, Greece
| | - Stergios Soulaidopoulos
- First Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General Hospital, Athens, 115 27, Greece
| | - Petros P Sfikakis
- Rheumatology Unit, Joint Rheumatology Program, Medical School, First Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Laiko" General Hospital, Athens, 115 27, Greece
| | - Theodoros Dimitroulas
- Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration Hospital, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 546 41, Greece
| | - George D Kitas
- Department of Rheumatology, Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley Group NHS FT, Dudley, DY1 2HQ, UK.,Arthritis Research UK Epidemiology Unit, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
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16
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Ordovas KG, Baldassarre LA, Bucciarelli-Ducci C, Carr J, Fernandes JL, Ferreira VM, Frank L, Mavrogeni S, Ntusi N, Ostenfeld E, Parwani P, Pepe A, Raman SV, Sakuma H, Schulz-Menger J, Sierra-Galan LM, Valente AM, Srichai MB. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance in women with cardiovascular disease: position statement from the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (SCMR). J Cardiovasc Magn Reson 2021; 23:52. [PMID: 33966639 PMCID: PMC8108343 DOI: 10.1186/s12968-021-00746-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
This document is a position statement from the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (SCMR) on recommendations for clinical utilization of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in women with cardiovascular disease. The document was prepared by the SCMR Consensus Group on CMR Imaging for Female Patients with Cardiovascular Disease and endorsed by the SCMR Publications Committee and SCMR Executive Committee. The goals of this document are to (1) guide the informed selection of cardiovascular imaging methods, (2) inform clinical decision-making, (3) educate stakeholders on the advantages of CMR in specific clinical scenarios, and (4) empower patients with clinical evidence to participate in their clinical care. The statements of clinical utility presented in the current document pertain to the following clinical scenarios: acute coronary syndrome, stable ischemic heart disease, peripartum cardiomyopathy, cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction, aortic syndrome and congenital heart disease in pregnancy, bicuspid aortic valve and aortopathies, systemic rheumatic diseases and collagen vascular disorders, and cardiomyopathy-causing mutations. The authors cite published evidence when available and provide expert consensus otherwise. Most of the evidence available pertains to translational studies involving subjects of both sexes. However, the authors have prioritized review of data obtained from female patients, and direct comparison of CMR between women and men. This position statement does not consider CMR accessibility or availability of local expertise, but instead highlights the optimal utilization of CMR in women with known or suspected cardiovascular disease. Finally, the ultimate goal of this position statement is to improve the health of female patients with cardiovascular disease by providing specific recommendations on the use of CMR.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Chiara Bucciarelli-Ducci
- Bristol Heart Institute, Bristol, UK
- Bristol National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical , Research Centre, Bristol, UK
- University Hospitals Bristol, Bristol, UK
- University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - James Carr
- Department of Radiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Vanessa M Ferreira
- Oxford Centre for Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research (OCMR), Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Luba Frank
- Medical College of Wisconsin, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Sophie Mavrogeni
- Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Greece
- Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ntobeko Ntusi
- University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ellen Ostenfeld
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Clinical Physiology, Skåne University Hospital Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Purvi Parwani
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University Health, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Alessia Pepe
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio C.N.R., Pisa, Italy
| | - Subha V Raman
- Krannert Institute of Cardiology, Indiana University, Indianapolis, USA
| | - Hajime Sakuma
- Department of Radiology, Mie University School of Medicine, Mie, Japan
| | - Jeanette Schulz-Menger
- harite Hospital, University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- HELIOS-Clinics Berlin-Buch, Berlin, Germany
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Al-Mehisen R, Alnemri K, Al-Mohaissen M. Cardiac imaging of a patient with unusual presentation of granulomatosis with polyangiitis: A case report and review of the literature. J Nucl Cardiol 2021; 28:441-455. [PMID: 31350714 DOI: 10.1007/s12350-019-01809-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent evidence suggests that cardiac involvement in patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) occurs more frequently than previously reported. Multimodality cardiac imaging is gaining attention in the diagnosis, prognostication, and follow-up of such patients; however, the data remain scarce. RESULTS 2D-TTE was useful for initial screening; while both cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and 18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18FDG-PET/CT) metabolic imaging with rubidium-82 PET perfusion imaging were useful for characterization of myocardial disease. 18FDG-PET/CT was very useful for the follow-up of cardiac disease activity following treatment. CONCLUSION 18FDG-PET/CT is sensitive for the detection of cardiac involvement by GPA and is useful for the tissue characterization and follow-up of disease activity following treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabah Al-Mehisen
- Department of Cardiology, Security Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid Alnemri
- Department of Cardiology, Security Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Maha Al-Mohaissen
- Department of Clinical Sciences (Cardiology), College of Medicine, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, PO Box 48247, Riyadh, 11511, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University Cardiovascular Disease in Women Research Chair, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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18
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Markousis-Mavrogenis G, Poulos G, Dimitroulas T, Giannakopoulou A, Mavragani C, Vartela V, Manolopoulou D, Kolovou G, Voulgari P, Sfikakis PP, Kitas GD, Mavrogeni SI. Ventricular Tachycardia Has Mainly Non-Ischaemic Substrates in Patients with Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases and a Preserved Ejection Fraction. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11030519. [PMID: 33804066 PMCID: PMC8001227 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11030519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) is a potentially lethal arrhythmia that is most commonly attributed to coronary artery disease. We hypothesised that among patients with NSVT and preserved ejection fraction, cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) would identify a different proportion of ischaemic/non-ischaemic arrhythmogenic substrates in those with and without autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs). In total, 80 consecutive patients (40 with ARDs, 40 with non-ARD-related cardiac pathology) with NSVT in the past 15 days and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction were examined using a 1.5-T system. Evaluated parameters included biventricular volumes/ejection fractions, T2 signal ratio, early/late gadolinium enhancement (EGE/LGE), T1 and T2 mapping and extracellular volume fraction (ECV). Mean age did not differ across groups, but patients with ARDs were more often women (32 (80%) vs. 15 (38%), p < 0.001). Biventricular systolic function, T2 signal ratio and EGE and LGE extent did not differ significantly between groups. Patients with ARDs had significantly higher median native T1 mapping (1078.5 (1049.0–1149.0) vs. 1041.5 (1014.0–1079.5), p = 0.003), higher ECV (31.0 (29.0–32.0) vs. 28.0 (26.5–30.0), p = 0.003) and higher T2 mapping (57.5 (54.0–61.0) vs. 52.0 (48.0–55.5), p = 0.001). In patients with ARDs, the distribution of cardiac fibrosis followed a predominantly non-ischaemic pattern, with ischaemic patterns being more common in those without ARDs (p < 0.001). After accounting for age and cardiovascular comorbidities, most findings remained unaffected, while only tissue characterisation indices remained significant after additionally correcting for sex. Patients with ARDs had a predominantly non-ischaemic myocardial scar pattern and showed evidence of diffuse inflammatory/ischaemic changes (elevated native T1-/T2-mapping and ECV values) independent of confounding factors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - George Poulos
- Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, 17674 Athens, Greece; (G.M.-M.); (G.P.); (V.V.); (D.M.); (G.K.)
| | - Theodoros Dimitroulas
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rheumatology, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | | | - Clio Mavragani
- Pathophysiology Department, Laikon Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece;
- First Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine and Joint Rheumatology Program, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15772 Athens, Greece;
| | - Vasiliki Vartela
- Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, 17674 Athens, Greece; (G.M.-M.); (G.P.); (V.V.); (D.M.); (G.K.)
| | - Dionysia Manolopoulou
- Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, 17674 Athens, Greece; (G.M.-M.); (G.P.); (V.V.); (D.M.); (G.K.)
| | - Genovefa Kolovou
- Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, 17674 Athens, Greece; (G.M.-M.); (G.P.); (V.V.); (D.M.); (G.K.)
| | | | - Petros P. Sfikakis
- First Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine and Joint Rheumatology Program, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15772 Athens, Greece;
- First Department of Propeudeutic and Internal Medicine, Laikon Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - George D. Kitas
- Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, Dudley DY1 2HQ, UK;
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Sophie I. Mavrogeni
- Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, 17674 Athens, Greece; (G.M.-M.); (G.P.); (V.V.); (D.M.); (G.K.)
- First Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine and Joint Rheumatology Program, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15772 Athens, Greece;
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +30-210-98-82-797
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Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Mapping and Strain Assessment for the Diagnosis of Cardiac Involvement in Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy Patients With Preserved Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction. J Thorac Imaging 2021; 36:254-261. [PMID: 33560763 DOI: 10.1097/rti.0000000000000578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) mapping and strain analysis in the identification of cardiac involvement in idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. MATERIALS AND METHODS In all, 38 IIM patients who underwent CMR examination at our institution were retrospectively included. Twenty-three age-matched healthy individuals served as controls. Mapping parameters including native T1, extracellular volume (ECV), and T2 mapping and strain parameters including global radial strain, global circumferential strain, and global longitudinal strain were measured semiautomatically using a dedicated processing software. All the mapping and strain values were compared between patients and controls. RESULTS Late gadolinium enhancement was only present in IIM patients (n=17, 44.7%). IIM patients showed higher native T1 (1346 vs. 1269 ms, P<0.001), ECV (31.1% vs. 27.4%, P<0.01), and higher T2 (44.4 vs. 39.2 ms, P<0.001) values compared with controls. The global radial strain (36.7% vs. 46.9%, P<0.001), global circumferential strain (-21.2% vs. -24.1%, P<0.01), and global longitudinal strain (-13.6% vs. -15.6%, P<0.05) values were significantly reduced compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS Native T1, ECV, T2 values, and global strain values may hold promise for the detection of subclinical myocardial involvement in IIM patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.
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20
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du Toit R, Herbst PG, Ackerman C, Pecoraro AJ, Claassen D, Cyster HP, Reuter H, Doubell AF. Outcome of clinical and subclinical myocardial injury in systemic lupus erythematosus - A prospective cohort study. Lupus 2020; 30:256-268. [PMID: 33525979 DOI: 10.1177/0961203320976960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine the outcome of subclinical lupus myocarditis (LM) over twelve months with regards to: mortality; incidence of clinical LM and change in imaging parameters (echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance [CMR]). To evaluate the impact of immunosuppression on CMR evidence of myocardial tissue injury. METHODS SLE patients with and without CMR evidence of myocardial injury (as per 2009 Lake Louise criteria [LLC]) were included. Analysis at baseline and follow-up included: clinical evaluation, laboratory and imaging analyses (echocardiography and CMR). Clinical LM was defined as clinical features of LM supported by echocardiographic and/or biochemical evidence of myocardial dysfunction. Subclinical LM was defined as CMR myocardial injury without clinical LM. RESULTS Forty-nine SLE patients were included with follow-up analyses (after 12 months) available in 36 patients. Twenty-five patients (51%) received intensified immunosuppressive therapy during follow-up for indications related to SLE. Disease activity (SLEDAI-2K) improved (p < 0.001) from 13 (median;IQR:9-20) to 7 (3-11). One patient without initial CMR evidence of myocardial injury developed clinical LM. Mortality (n = 10) and SLE clinical features were similar between patients with and without initial CMR myocardial injury. Echocardiographic left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (p = 0.014), right ventricular function (p = 0.001) and wall motion abnormalities (p = 0.056) improved significantly but not strain analyses nor the left LV internal diameter index. CMR mass index (p = 0.011) and LVEF (p < 0.001) improved with follow-up but not parameters identifying myocardial tissue injury (LLC). A trend towards a reduction in the presence of CMR criteria was counterbalanced by persistence (n = 7) /development of new criteria (n = 11) in patients. Change in CMR mass index correlated with change in T2-weighted signal (myocardial oedema) (r = 386;p = 0.024). Intensified immunosuppressive therapy had no significant effect on CMR parameters. CONCLUSION CMR evidence of subclinical LM persisted despite improved SLEDAI-2K, serological markers, cardiac function and CMR mass index. Subclinical LM did not progress to clinical LM and had no significant prognostic implications over 12 months. Immunosuppressive therapy did not have any significant effect on the presence of CMR evidence of myocardial tissue injury. Improvement in CMR mass index correlated with reduction in myocardial oedema and may be used to monitor SLE myocardial injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riette du Toit
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Phillip G Herbst
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Christelle Ackerman
- Division of Radiodiagnosis, Department of Medical Imaging and Clinical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Alfonso Jk Pecoraro
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Dirk Claassen
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Henry P Cyster
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Helmuth Reuter
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.,Institute of Orthopaedics and Rheumatology, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Anton F Doubell
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
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Plein S, Erhayiem B, Fent G, Horton S, Dumitru RB, Andrews J, Greenwood JP, Emery P, Hensor EM, Baxter P, Pavitt S, Buch MH. Cardiovascular effects of biological versus conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug therapy in treatment-naïve, early rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2020; 79:1414-1422. [PMID: 32859608 PMCID: PMC7569379 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-217653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine whether patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (ERA) have cardiovascular disease (CVD) that is modifiable with disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy, comparing first-line etanercept (ETN) + methotrexate (MTX) with MTX strategy. METHODS Patients from a phase IV ERA trial randomised to ETN+MTX or MTX strategy±month 6 escalation to ETN+MTX, and with no CVD and maximum one traditional risk factor underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) at baseline, years 1 and 2. Thirty matched controls underwent CMR. Primary outcome measure was aortic distensibility (AD) between controls and ERA, and baseline to year 1 AD change in ERA. Secondary analyses between and within ERA groups performed. Additional outcome measures included left ventricular (LV) mass and myocardial extracellular volume (ECV). RESULTS Eighty-one patients recruited. In ERA versus controls, respectively, baseline (geometric mean, 95% CI) AD was significantly lower (3.0×10-3 mm Hg-1 (2.7-3.3) vs 4.4×10-3 mm Hg-1 (3.7-5.2), p<0.001); LV mass significantly lower (78.2 g (74.0-82.7), n=81 vs 92.9 g (84.8-101.7), n=30, p<0.01); and ECV increased (27.1% (26.4-27.9), n=78 vs 24.9% (23.8-26.1), n=30, p<0.01). Across all patients, AD improved significantly from baseline to year 1 (3.0×10-3 mm Hg-1 (2.7-3.4) to 3.6×10-3 mm Hg-1 (3.1-4.1), respectively, p<0.01), maintained at year 2. The improvement in AD did not differ between the two treatment arms and disease activity state (Disease Activity Score with 28 joint count)-erythrocyte sedimentation rate-defined responders versus non-responders. CONCLUSION We report the first evidence of vascular and myocardial abnormalities in an ERA randomised controlled trial cohort and show improvement with DMARD therapy. The type of DMARD (first-line tumour necrosis factor-inhibitors or MTX) and clinical response to therapy did not affect CVD markers. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ISRCTN: ISRCTN89222125; ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01295151.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Plein
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Bara Erhayiem
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Graham Fent
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Sarah Horton
- Central Lancashire Moving Well Service, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, Lancashire, UK
| | - Raluca Bianca Dumitru
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Jacqueline Andrews
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - John P Greenwood
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Paul Emery
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - Elizabeth Ma Hensor
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - Paul Baxter
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Sue Pavitt
- Dental Translational and Clinical Research Unit, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Maya H Buch
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
- Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Division of Musculoskeletal & Dermatological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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Giollo A, Dumitru RB, Swoboda PP, Plein S, Greenwood JP, Buch MH, Andrews J. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for the detection of myocardial involvement in granulomatosis with polyangiitis. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2020; 37:1053-1062. [PMID: 33057879 PMCID: PMC7969556 DOI: 10.1007/s10554-020-02066-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of undiagnosed cardiac involvement in granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is unknown. In this prospective study we investigated the utility of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) to identify myocardial abnormalities in GPA and their correlation with disease phenotype. Twenty-six patients with GPA and no cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus underwent contrast-enhanced CMR, including late gadolinium-enhancement (LGE), T1-mapping for native T1 and extra-cellular volume (ECV) quantification for assessment of myocardial fibrosis, cine imaging and tissue tagging for assessment of left ventricular (LV) function. Twenty-five healthy volunteers (HV) with comparable age, sex, BMI and arterial blood pressure served as controls. Patients with GPA had similar cardiovascular risk profile to HV. A focal, non-ischaemic LGE pattern of fibrosis was detected in 24% of patients and no controls (p = 0.010). Patients with myocardial LGE were less frequently PR3 ANCA (7% vs 93%, p = 0.007), and had involvement of the lower respiratory tract and skin. LGE scar mass was higher in patients presenting with renal involvement. Native T1 and ECV were higher in patients with GPA than HV; ECV was higher in those with relapsing disease, and native T1 was inversely associated with PR3 ANCA (β = - 0.664, p = 0.001). Peak systolic strain was slightly reduced in GPA compared to controls; LV ejection function was inversely correlated with disease duration (β = - 0.454, p = 0.026). Patients with GPA have significant myocardial abnormalities on CMR. ANCA, systemic involvement and disease severity were associated with myocardial fibrosis. CMR could be a useful tool for risk stratification of myocardial involvement in GPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Giollo
- NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre and Clinical Research Facility, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK. .,Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK. .,Rheumatology Section, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Policlinico G.B. Rossi 10, 37134, Verona, Italy.
| | - Raluca B Dumitru
- NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre and Clinical Research Facility, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK.,Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Peter P Swoboda
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Sven Plein
- NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre and Clinical Research Facility, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK.,Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - John P Greenwood
- NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre and Clinical Research Facility, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK.,Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Maya H Buch
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.,Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Jacqueline Andrews
- NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre and Clinical Research Facility, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
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Mavrogeni S, Gargani L, Pepe A, Monti L, Markousis-Mavrogenis G, De Santis M, De Marchi D, Koutsogeorgopoulou L, Karabela G, Stavropoulos E, Katsifis G, Bratis K, Bellando-Randone S, Guiducci S, Bruni C, Moggi-Pignone A, Dimitroulas T, Kolovou G, Bournia VK, Sfikakis PP, Matucci-Cerinic M. Cardiac magnetic resonance predicts ventricular arrhythmias in scleroderma: the Scleroderma Arrhythmia Clinical Utility Study (SAnCtUS). Rheumatology (Oxford) 2020; 59:1938-1948. [PMID: 31764972 PMCID: PMC7382593 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kez494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Cardiac rhythm disturbances constitute the most frequent cardiovascular cause of death in SSc. However, electrocardiographic findings are not a part of risk stratification in SSc. We aimed to translate 24 h Holter findings into a tangible risk prediction score using cardiovascular magnetic resonance. METHODS The Scleroderma Arrhythmia Clinical Utility Study (SAnCtUS) was a prospective multicentre study including 150 consecutive SSc patients from eight European centres, assessed with 24 h Holter and cardiovascular magnetic resonance, including ventricular function, oedema (T2 ratio) and late gadolinium enhancement (%LGE). Laboratory/clinical parameters were included in multivariable corrections. A combined endpoint of sustained ventricular tachycardia requiring hospitalization and sudden cardiac death at a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 1 (1.0-1.4) year was generated. RESULTS Only T2 ratio and %LGE were significant predictors of ventricular rhythm disturbances, but not of supraventricular rhythm disturbances, after multivariable correction and adjustment for multiple comparisons. Using decision-tree analysis, we created the SAnCtUS score, a four-category scoring system based on T2 ratio and %LGE, for identifying SSc patients at high risk of experiencing ventricular rhythm disturbance at baseline. Increasing SAnCtUS scores were associated with a greater disease and arrhythmic burden. All cases of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (n = 7) occurred in patients with the highest SAnCtUS score (=4). Having a score of 4 conveyed a higher risk of reaching the combined endpoint in multivariable Cox regression compared with scores 1/2/3 [hazard ratio (95% CI): 3.86 (1.14, 13.04), P = 0.029] independently of left ventricular ejection fraction and baseline ventricular tachycardia occurrence. CONCLUSION T2 ratio and %LGE had the greatest utility as independent predictors of rhythm disturbances in SSc patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Mavrogeni
- Department of Cardiology, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Greece
| | - Luna Gargani
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Pisa
| | - Alessia Pepe
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio C.N.R, Pisa
| | - Lorenzo Monti
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Maria De Santis
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniele De Marchi
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio C.N.R, Pisa
| | | | | | | | - Gikas Katsifis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Navy Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Silvia Bellando-Randone
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Divisions of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology AOUC, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Serena Guiducci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Divisions of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology AOUC, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Cosimo Bruni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Divisions of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology AOUC, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Alberto Moggi-Pignone
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Divisions of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology AOUC, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Genovefa Kolovou
- Department of Cardiology, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Greece
| | - Vasiliki-Kalliopi Bournia
- First Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine, Laikon Hospital, Athens University Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Petros P Sfikakis
- First Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine, Laikon Hospital, Athens University Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Divisions of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology AOUC, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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24
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du Toit R, Herbst PG, Ackerman C, Pecoraro AJ, du Toit RH, Hassan K, Joubert LLH, Reuter H, Doubell AF. Myocardial injury in systemic lupus erythematosus according to cardiac magnetic resonance tissue characterization: clinical and echocardiographic features. Lupus 2020; 29:1461-1468. [PMID: 32631204 DOI: 10.1177/0961203320936748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence of myocardial injury (MInj) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) according to cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) criteria. To compare clinical and echocardiographic features of patients with and without MInj and identify predictors of myocardial tissue characteristics according to CMR. METHODS SLE inpatients underwent CMR screening for MInj based on the Lake Louise Criteria (LLC). Tissue characteristics included inflammation (increased T2-weighted signal or early gadolinium enhancement ratio (EGEr)) and necrosis or fibrosis (late gadolinium enhancement (LGE)). Echocardiographic parameters included left (left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)) and right ventricular function (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE)), global longitudinal strain (GLS), wall motion score (WMSi) and left ventricular internal diameter index (LVIDi). Variables were compared with regards to the presence/absence of CMR criteria. Logistic regression identified variables predictive of CMR tissue characteristics. RESULTS A hundred and six SLE patients were screened of whom 49 patients were included. Fifty-seven patients were excluded due to intolerance of or contraindication to CMR (27/57 due to renal impairment). Twenty-three patients had CMR evidence of MInj, of which 60.9% was subclinical. Inflammation occurred in 16/23 and necrosis/fibrosis in 12/23 patients. Patients with any evidence of MInj were more frequently anti-dsDNA positive (p = 0.026) and patients fulfilling LLC for myocarditis had higher SLE disease activity (p = 0.022). The LVIDi (p = 0.005), LVEF (p = 0.005) and TAPSE (p = 0.011) were more abnormal in patients with an increased EGEr, whereas WMSi (p = 0.002) and GLS (0.020) were more impaired in patients with LGE. On multivariable logistic regression analyses, TAPSE predicted inflammation (OR: 0.045, p = 0.006, CI: 0.005-0.415) and GLS predicted necrosis/fibrosis (OR: 1.329, p = 0.031, CI: 1.026-1.722). A model including lymphocyte count, TAPSE and LVIDi predicted an increased EGEr on CMR (receiver operating characteristic-curve analyses: area under the curve: 0.901, p < 0.001, sensitivity: 88.9%, specificity: 76.3%). CONCLUSIONS CMR evidence of MInj frequently occurs in SLE and is often subclinical. The utility of CMR in SLE is limited by a high exclusion rate, mainly due to renal involvement. Models including echocardiographic parameters (TAPSE, LVIDi and GLS) are predictive of CMR myocardial injury. Echocardiography can be used as a cost-effective screening tool with a high negative predictive value, in particular when CMR is contraindicated or unavailable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riëtte du Toit
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Phillip G Herbst
- Division Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Christelle Ackerman
- Division of Radiodiagnosis, Department of Medical Imaging and Clinical Oncology, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Alfonso Jk Pecoraro
- Division Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Rudolf Hr du Toit
- Division Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Karim Hassan
- Division Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - LLoyd H Joubert
- Division Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Helmuth Reuter
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.,Institute of Orthopaedics and Rheumatology, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Anton F Doubell
- Division Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
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25
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Cardiovascular Risk in Systemic Sclerosis. CURRENT TREATMENT OPTIONS IN RHEUMATOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s40674-020-00152-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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26
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Markousis-Mavrogenis G, Mitsikostas DD, Koutsogeorgopoulou L, Dimitroulas T, Katsifis G, Argyriou P, Apostolou D, Velitsista S, Vartela V, Manolopoulou D, Tektonidou MG, Kolovou G, Kitas GD, Sfikakis PP, Mavrogeni SI. Combined Brain-Heart Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease Patients with Cardiac Symptoms: Hypothesis Generating Insights from a Cross-sectional Study. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9020447. [PMID: 32041234 PMCID: PMC7074384 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9020447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs) may affect both the heart and the brain. However, little is known about the interaction between these organs in ARD patients. We asked whether brain lesions are more frequent in ARD patients with cardiac symptoms compared with non-ARD patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). METHODS 57 ARD patients with mean age of 48 ± 13 years presenting with shortness of breath, chest pain, and/or palpitations, and 30 age-matched disease-controls with non-autoimmune CVD, were evaluated using combined brain-heart magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a 1.5T system. RESULTS 52 (91%) ARD patients and 16 (53%) controls had white matter hyperintensities (p < 0.001) in at least one brain area (subcortical/deep/periventricular white matter, basal ganglia, pons, brainstem, or mesial temporal lobe). Only the frequency and number of subcortical and deep white matter lesions were significantly greater in ARD patients (p < 0.001 and 0.014, respectively). ARD vs. control status was the only independent predictor of having any brain lesion. Specifically for deep white matter lesions, each increase in ECV independently predicted a higher number of lesions [odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 1.16 (1.01-1.33), p = 0.031] in ordered logistic regression. Penalized logistic regression selected only ARD vs. control status as the most important feature for predicting whether brain lesions were present on brain MRI (odds ratio: 5.46, marginal false discovery rate = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS Subclinical brain involvement was highly prevalent in this cohort of ARD patients and was mostly independent of the severity of cardiac involvement. However, further research is required to determine the clinical relevance of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dimos D. Mitsikostas
- First Neurology Department, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 10679 Athens, Greece;
| | | | - Theodoros Dimitroulas
- Department of Rheumatology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Gikas Katsifis
- Rheumatology Department, Naval Hospital, 11521 Athens, Greece;
| | - Panayiotis Argyriou
- MRI Unit, Mediterraneo Hospital, 16675 Athens, Greece; (P.A.); (D.A.); (S.V.)
| | - Dimitrios Apostolou
- MRI Unit, Mediterraneo Hospital, 16675 Athens, Greece; (P.A.); (D.A.); (S.V.)
| | - Stella Velitsista
- MRI Unit, Mediterraneo Hospital, 16675 Athens, Greece; (P.A.); (D.A.); (S.V.)
| | - Vasiliki Vartela
- Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, 17674 Athens, Greece; (G.M.-M.); (V.V.); (D.M.); (G.K.)
| | - Dionysia Manolopoulou
- Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, 17674 Athens, Greece; (G.M.-M.); (V.V.); (D.M.); (G.K.)
| | - Maria G. Tektonidou
- First Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine, Laikon Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.G.T.); (P.P.S.)
| | - Genovefa Kolovou
- Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, 17674 Athens, Greece; (G.M.-M.); (V.V.); (D.M.); (G.K.)
| | - George D. Kitas
- Arthritis Research UK Epidemiology Unit, Manchester University, Manchester M13 9PT, UK;
| | - Petros P. Sfikakis
- First Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine, Laikon Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.G.T.); (P.P.S.)
| | - Sophie I. Mavrogeni
- Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, 17674 Athens, Greece; (G.M.-M.); (V.V.); (D.M.); (G.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +30-210-98-82-797
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Mavrogeni SI, Dimitroulas T, Kitas GD. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance in the diagnosis and management of cardiac and vascular involvement in the systemic vasculitides. Curr Opin Rheumatol 2020; 31:16-24. [PMID: 30407225 DOI: 10.1097/bor.0000000000000560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - George D Kitas
- Arthritis Research UK Centre for Epidemiology, Manchester University, Manchester, UK
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28
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Fragmented QRS complex in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus at the time of diagnosis and its relationship with disease activity. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0227022. [PMID: 31895922 PMCID: PMC6939939 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Cardiovascular disease is an important contributor to the mortality rate of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which is related to SLE disease activity. Fragmented QRS (fQRS) complexes, defined by additional spikes in the QRS complex, are useful for identifying myocardial scars on electrocardiography and can be an independent predictor of cardiac events. We aimed to assess the relationship between disease activity in patients with SLE and fQRS at the time of diagnosis. Methods Forty-four patients with SLE were included. Patients with cardiac diseases, other rheumatic diseases, and prior treatment at the time of electrocardiography measurement were excluded. The appearance of fQRS represented exposure. The primary outcome was SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K). Multiple regression analysis was conducted to assess the association between fQRS and SLEDAI-2K adjusted for age, sex, and time from the estimated onset date to the date of diagnosis. Results Among patients with SLE at diagnosis, 26 (59.1%) had fQRS. The median SLEDAI-2K was 18 (interquartile range [IQR], 12–22) and 9 (IQR, 8–15) in the fQRS(+) and fQRS(-) groups, respectively. SLEDAI-2K was significantly higher in the fQRS(+) group than in the fQRS(-) group (regression coefficient, 2.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.76–4.61; p = 0.008). Conclusion Our results suggested that fQRS(+) patients with SLE had high disease activity. fQRS could likely detect subclinical myocardial involvement in patients with SLE and predict long-term occurrence of cardiac events.
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Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Identifies High-Risk Systemic Sclerosis Patients with Normal Echocardiograms and Provides Incremental Prognostic Value. Diagnostics (Basel) 2019; 9:diagnostics9040220. [PMID: 31835765 PMCID: PMC6963862 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics9040220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute cardiac events are a significant contributor to mortality in systemic sclerosis (SSc). However, echocardiographic evaluation may be deceptively normal during an acute presentation. We hypothesized that in diffuse SSc patients presenting with acute cardiac events and a normal echocardiogram, cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) would have incremental diagnostic/prognostic value. METHODS 50 consecutive diffuse SSc patients with normal echocardiograms were evaluated using a 1.5T system. A total of 27 (63%) had experienced an acute cardiac event three to tendays before CMR evaluation (rhythm disturbances, angina pectoris, shortness of breath). Left/right ventricular (LV/RV) volumes and ejection fractions (EF), as well as LV mass, the T2-signal ratio, early/late gadolinium enhancement (EGE/LGE), native/post-contrast T1-mapping, T2-mapping and extracellular volume fraction (ECV) were compared between the event and no-event groups. RESULTS No differences were identified in LV/RV volumes/EF/mass. In logistic regression analyses, independent predictors of belonging to the event group were EGE (odds ratio (95% CI): 1.55 (1.06-2.26), p = 0.024), LGE (1.81 (1.23-2.67), p = 0.003), T2 mapping (1.20 (1.06-1.36), p = 0.004) and native/post-contrast T1 mapping (1.17 (1.04-1.32), p = 0.007 and 0.86 (0.75-0.98), p = 0.025). At a median follow-up of ~1.2 years, 42% vs. 11% of the event/no-event group respectively reached a combined endpoint of event occurrence/recurrence or cardiovascular mortality. Of the independent predictors resulting from logistic regression analyses, only LGE (hazard ratio (95% CI): 1.20 (1.11-1.30), p < 0.001), T2-mapping (1.07 (1.01-1.14), p = 0.025) and native T1-mapping (1.08 (1.01-1.15), p = 0.017) independently predicted the combined endpoint. CONCLUSIONS A normal echocardiogram does not preclude myocardial lesions in diffuse SSc patients, which can be detected by CMR especially in symptomatic patients.
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Mavrogeni SI, Markousis-Mavrogenis G, Kolovou G. "Save the Last Dance" for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance. Eur Cardiol 2019; 13:95-97. [PMID: 30697352 DOI: 10.15420/ecr.2018.19.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite high mortality, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is underestimated in autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs), due to its atypical presentation. The multi-faceted nature of CVD in ARDs created the need of a dedicated outpatient cardio-rheumatic clinic. Clinical examination, rest/exercise ECG, echocardiography, nuclear techniques and cardiac catheterisation were used as first-line diagnostic tools. Although the currently used non-invasive modalities perform well in cardiology, they are unable to diagnose the complex CVD pathophysiology of ARDs. The application of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) offers some significant advantages. CMR is versatile and can be used to perform functional, stress-rest perfusion, fibrosis and evaluation of great, peripheral and coronary vessels patency, without the use of ionising radiation, allowing early diagnosis of CVD and prompting modifications of anti-rheumatic and cardiac treatment.
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Mavrogeni SI, Sfikakis PP, Markousis-Mavrogenis G, Bournia VK, Poulos G, Koutsogeorgopoulou L, Karabela G, Stavropoulos E, Katsifis G, Boki K, Vartela V, Kolovou G, Theodorakis G, Kitas GD. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging pattern in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases and ventricular tachycardia with preserved ejection fraction. Int J Cardiol 2018; 284:105-109. [PMID: 30404725 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2018.10.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Revised: 09/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (VT/VF) may occur in autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs). We hypothesized that cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) can identify arrhythmogenic substrates in ARD patients. PATIENTS - METHODS Using a 1.5 T system, we evaluated 61 consecutive patients with various types of ARDs and normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) on echocardiography. A comparison of patients with recent VT/VF and those that never experienced VT/VF was performed. CMR parameters included left and right ventricular (LV and RV) end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes (ESV and EDV), T2 signal ratio of myocardium over skeletal muscle, early/late gadolinium enhancement (EGE and LGE), T1/T2-mapping and extracellular volume fraction (ECV). RESULTS 21 (34%) patients had a history of recent, electrocardiographically identified, VT/VF. No demographic or functional CMR variables differed significantly between groups. The same was the case for T2 signal ratio and EGE/LGE. Median native T1 mapping values were significantly higher in patients with VT/VF compared to those without [1135.0 (1076.0, 1201.0) vs. 1050.0 (1025.0, 1078.0), p < 0.001], as was the case for mean T2 mapping [60.4 (6.6) vs. 55.0 (7.9), p = 0.009] and median ECV values [32.0 (30.0, 32.0) vs. 29.0 (28.0, 31.5), p = 0.001]. After multivariate corrections for age, LVEDV, LVEF, RVEDV, RVEF, T2 signal ratio, EGE and LGE, these remained significant predictors of having experienced VT/VF in the past. CONCLUSIONS T1/T2-mapping and ECV offer incremental value as identifiers of arrhythmogenic substrates in ARD patients, beyond traditionally used indices. They can thus guide implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) implantation in ARD patients presenting with VT/VF and normal LVEF.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Petros P Sfikakis
- Joint Rheumatology Programme, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece.
| | | | - Vasiliki-Kalliopi Bournia
- Joint Rheumatology Programme, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Loukia Koutsogeorgopoulou
- Joint Rheumatology Programme, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - George D Kitas
- Arthritis Research UK Epidemiology Unit, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
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The heart in systemic lupus erythematosus - A comprehensive approach by cardiovascular magnetic resonance tomography. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0202105. [PMID: 30273933 PMCID: PMC6167090 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 07/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), cardiac manifestations, e.g. coronary artery disease (CAD) and myocarditis are leading causes of morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of subclinical heart disease in SLE is unknown. We studied whether a comprehensive cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) protocol may be useful for early diagnosis of heart disease in SLE patients without known CAD. Methods In this prospective, observational, cross-sectional study CMR including cine, late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and stress perfusion sequences, ECG, and blood sampling were performed in 30 consecutive SLE patients without known CAD. All patients fulfilled at least 4/11 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Criteria for the classification of SLE. Results 30 patients (83% female) were enrolled, mean age was 45±14 years and mean SLE disease duration was 10±8 years. 80% had low to moderate disease activity. All had a low SLE damage index. CMR was abnormal in 13/30 (43%), showing LGE in 9/13, stress perfusion deficits in 5/13 and pericardial effusion (PE) in 7/13. Patients with non-ischemic LGE had more often microalbuminuria while patients with stress perfusion deficits a history of hypertension, renal disorder as ACR criterion, repolarisation abnormalities on ECG and larger LV enddiastolic volume index. There was no correlation between clinical symptoms and CMR results. Conclusion Our study shows that cardiac involvement as observed by CMR is frequent in SLE and not necessarily associated with typical symptoms. CMR may thus help to detect subclinical cardiac involvement, which could lead to earlier treatment. Additionally we identify possible risk factors associated with cardiac involvement.
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The emerging role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging in the assessment of cardiac involvement in juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Rheumatol Int 2018; 38:1355-1362. [PMID: 29876652 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-018-4078-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the commonest rheumatic disease in childhood and presents several subtypes according to the ILAR classification. JIA, specifically in its systemic form, may seriously damage various structures of the cardiovascular system. Other JIA phenotypes are also of interest, as cardiovascular disease (CVD) is underestimated and understudied, but chronic systemic inflammation and risk factors remained important contributors for CVD development. The currently applied non-invasive modalities, although they are important for the initial evaluation of JIA patients, frequently fail to detect the silent, subclinical forms of CVD. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), due to its multifaceted capability in the detection of cardiovascular disease, can offer early, reproducible, non-invasive information about cardiovascular disease in JIA, allowing risk stratification and timely initiation /modification of cardiologic and anti-rheumatic treatment. However, lack of availability/expertise and high cost still hamper its application in the clinical cardio-rheumatic practice. The aim of the current article is to present an overview of CVD in JIA emphasizing the emerging role of CMR in early diagnosis and treatment follow-up of CVD in JIA patients.
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Can cardiovascular magnetic resonance prompt early cardiovascular/rheumatic treatment in autoimmune rheumatic diseases? Current practice and future perspectives. Rheumatol Int 2018. [PMID: 29516170 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-018-4004-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
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.
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Abstract
Takayasu arteritis is an idiopathic chronic granulomatous panarteritis predominantly affecting the aorta and its main branches. Although idiopathic, genetic contribution to disease susceptibility is being increasingly recognised. Rare in children, Takayasu arteritis is a worldwide disease with significant morbidity and mortality. Its diagnosis is a challenge and requires awareness of the condition as clinical features at presentation are non-specific and assessing disease activity is difficult. In the inflammatory stage, treatment is essential to prevent the insidious course and vascular damage: stenotic, occlusive lesions, aneurysms, and aortic regurgitation. New imaging modalities, such as CT scan, MRI, and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography, have expanded the possibilities for non-invasive diagnosis and monitoring; however, digital subtraction arteriography remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of Takayasu arteritis. Steroids are the first-line medical treatment. The combined use of methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, and biological agents is common. Revascularisation therapy should be considered in uncontrolled hypertension secondary to renal artery stenosis, symptomatic coronary ischaemia, cerebrovascular disease, severe aortic regurgitation, limb ischaemia, and aneurysms at risk of rupture, using surgical or endovascular procedures and taking into consideration that complications, especially restenosis, are frequent. Disease activity increases the likelihood of complications after revascularisation. Surgical intervention has shown better long-term outcomes, although the endovascular approach is evolving. The aim of this review was to describe key points of the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of Takayasu arteritis in childhood.
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d'Ersu E, Ribi C, Monney P, Vincenti G, Schwitter J, Rotman S, Hullin R, Regamey J. Churg-Strauss syndrome with cardiac involvement: case illustration and contribution of CMR in the diagnosis and clinical follow-up. Int J Cardiol 2018; 258:321-324. [PMID: 29459042 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2018.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Revised: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
This report summarises three cases of Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) illustrating the diagnostic challenges associated with the cardiac manifestation of this disease. Here, we illustrate the role of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) for diagnosis and follow-up of CSS with a focus on new non-contrast T2-weighted imaging sequences for quantification of myocardial scar tissue and quantitative T2 mapping techniques, which allow the detection of myocardial edema.
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Affiliation(s)
- E d'Ersu
- Service de cardiologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Switzerland. Eleanor.d'
| | - C Ribi
- Service d'immunologie et allergie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Switzerland
| | - P Monney
- Service de cardiologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Switzerland
| | - G Vincenti
- Service de cardiologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Switzerland
| | - J Schwitter
- Service de cardiologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Switzerland
| | - S Rotman
- Service de pathologie clinique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Switzerland
| | - R Hullin
- Service de cardiologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Switzerland
| | - J Regamey
- Service de cardiologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Switzerland
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Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in myocardial inflammation in autoimmune rheumatic diseases: An appraisal of the diagnostic strengths and limitations of the Lake Louise criteria. Int J Cardiol 2018; 252:216-219. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2017.11.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Engel LC, Landmesser U, Gigengack K, Wurster T, Manes C, Girke G, Jaguszewski M, Skurk C, Leistner DM, Lauten A, Schuster A, Hamm B, Botnar RM, Makowski MR, Bigalke B. Novel Approach for In Vivo Detection of Vulnerable Coronary Plaques Using Molecular 3-T CMR Imaging With an Albumin-Binding Probe. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging 2018; 12:297-306. [PMID: 29361487 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2017.10.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Revised: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study sought to investigate the potential of the noninvasive albumin-binding probe gadofosveset-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance (GE-CMR) for detection of coronary plaques that can cause acute coronary syndromes (ACS). BACKGROUND ACS are frequently caused by rupture or erosion of coronary plaques that initially do not cause hemodynamically significant stenosis and are therefore not detected by invasive x-ray coronary angiography (XCA). METHODS A total of 25 patients with ACS or symptoms of stable coronary artery disease underwent GE-CMR, clinically indicated XCA, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) within 24 h. GE-CMR was performed approximately 24 h following a 1-time application of gadofosveset-trisodium. Contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was quantified within coronary segments in comparison with blood signal. RESULTS A total of 207 coronary segments were analyzed on GE-CMR. Segments containing a culprit lesion in ACS patients (n = 11) showed significant higher signal enhancement (CNR) following gadofosveset-trisodium application than segments without culprit lesions (n = 196; 6.1 [3.9 to 16.5] vs. 2.1 [0.5 to 3.5]; p < 0.001). GE-CMR was able to correctly identify culprit coronary lesions in 9 of 11 segments (sensitivity 82%) and correctly excluded culprit coronary lesions in 162 of 195 segments (specificity 83%). Additionally, segmented areas of thin-cap fibroatheroma (n = 22) as seen on OCT demonstrated significantly higher CNR than segments without coronary plaque or segments containing early atherosclerotic lesions (n = 185; 9.2 [3.3 to 13.7] vs. 2.1 [0.5 to 3.4]; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS In this study, we demonstrated for the first time the noninvasive detection of culprit coronary lesions and thin-cap fibroatheroma of the coronary arteries in vivo by using GE-CMR. This method may represent a novel approach for noninvasive cardiovascular risk prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leif-Christopher Engel
- Klinik für Kardiologie, Charité Campus Benjamin Franklin, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulf Landmesser
- Klinik für Kardiologie, Charité Campus Benjamin Franklin, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kevin Gigengack
- Klinik für Kardiologie, Charité Campus Benjamin Franklin, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Wurster
- Klinik für Kardiologie, Charité Campus Benjamin Franklin, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Constantina Manes
- Klinik für Kardiologie, Charité Campus Benjamin Franklin, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Georg Girke
- Klinik für Kardiologie, Charité Campus Benjamin Franklin, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Milosz Jaguszewski
- Klinik für Kardiologie, Charité Campus Benjamin Franklin, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carsten Skurk
- Klinik für Kardiologie, Charité Campus Benjamin Franklin, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - David M Leistner
- Klinik für Kardiologie, Charité Campus Benjamin Franklin, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexander Lauten
- Klinik für Kardiologie, Charité Campus Benjamin Franklin, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Schuster
- Department of Cardiology, Royal North Shore Hospital, The Kolling Institute, Northern Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Department of Cardiology and Pulmonology, German Centre for Cardiovascular Research Deutsches Zentrum für Herz-Kreislauf-Forschung e.V. (DZHK) Partner Site, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Bernd Hamm
- Klinik für Radiologie, Charité Campus Benjamin Franklin, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rene M Botnar
- Division of Imaging Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Escuela de Ingeniería, Santiago, Chile
| | - Marcus R Makowski
- Klinik für Radiologie, Charité Campus Benjamin Franklin, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Boris Bigalke
- Klinik für Kardiologie, Charité Campus Benjamin Franklin, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW In this paper we will review the modern diagnostic approach to patients with clinically suspected myocarditis as well as the treatment modalities and strategy in light of up-to-date clinical experience and scientific evidence. RECENT FINDINGS Rapidly expanding evidence suggests that myocardial inflammation is frequently underdiagnosed or overlooked in clinical practice, although new therapeutic options have been validated. Moreover, the available evidence suggests that subclinical cardiac involvement has negative prognostic impact on morbidity and mortality and should be actively investigated and adequately treated. Myocarditis represents a growing challenge for physicians, due to increased referral of patients for endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) or cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and requires a highly integrated management by a team of caring physicians.
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Mavrogeni S, Papavasiliou A, Giannakopoulou K, Markousis-Mavrogenis G, Pons MR, Karanasios E, Nikas I, Papadopoulos G, Kolovou G, Chrousos GP. Oedema-fibrosis in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging. Eur J Clin Invest 2017; 47. [PMID: 29027210 DOI: 10.1111/eci.12843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked muscle disorder characterized by progressive, irreversible loss of cardiac and skeletal muscular function. Muscular enlargement in DMD is attributed to oedema, due to the increased cytoplasmic Na+ concentration. The aim of this review was to present the current experience and emphasize the role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in the diagnosis of this condition. DMD patients' survival depends on ventilatory assistance, as respiratory muscle dysfunction was the most common cause of death in the past. Currently, due to improved ventilatory assistance, cardiomyopathy has become the main cause of death, even though clinically overt heart failure may be absent. CMR is the technique of choice to assess the pathophysiologic phenomena taking place in DMD, such as myocardial oedema and subepicardial fibrosis. The classic index to assess oedema is the T2-weighted short-tau inversion recovery (T2w-STIR), as it suppresses the signal from flowing blood and resident fat and enhances sensitivity to tissue fluid. Furthermore, CMR is the most reliable technique to detect and quantify fibrosis in DMD. Recently, the new indices T2, T1 mapping (native and postcontrast) and the extracellular volume (ECV) allow a more accurate approach of myocardial oedema and fibrosis. To conclude, the assessment of cardiac oedema and subepicardial fibrosis in the inferolateral wall of the left heart ventricle are the most important early finding in DMD with preserved ventricular function, and CMR, using both the classic and the new indices, is the best technique to detect and monitor these lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Katerina Giannakopoulou
- First Dept of Paediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Maria Roser Pons
- First Dept of Paediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelos Karanasios
- First Dept of Paediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Nikas
- First Dept of Paediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - George Papadopoulos
- First Dept of Paediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | - George P Chrousos
- First Dept of Paediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
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Cardiac Tissue Characterization and Imaging in Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging 2017; 10:1387-1396. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2017.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Revised: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Mavrogeni S, Koutsogeorgopoulou L, Karabela G, Stavropoulos E, Katsifis G, Raftakis J, Plastiras S, Noutsias M, Markousis-Mavrogenis G, Kolovou G. Silent myocarditis in systemic sclerosis detected by cardiovascular magnetic resonance using Lake Louise criteria. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2017; 17:187. [PMID: 28716007 PMCID: PMC5513128 DOI: 10.1186/s12872-017-0619-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by microvascular abnormalities, inflammation and fibrosis. We hypothesized that myocarditis may be diagnosed in asymptomatic SSc, undergoing routine cardio-vascular magnetic resonance (CMR) for fibrosis assessment, using the Lake Louise criteria: T2 ratio, early (EGE) and late gadolinium enhanced (LGE) images. Methods Eighty-two asymptomatic SSc, diagnosed according to American College of Rheumatology criteria, aged 43 ± 5 yrs., 62 with diffuse (dSSc) and 20 with localized (lSSc) systemic sclerosis were evaluated by CMR, performed at 1.5 T scanner, according to Lake Louise criteria. Results CMR documented normal biventricular function in all SSc. However, 7/62 (11.2%) with dSSc and 2/20 (10%) with lSSc, had CMR signs of myocarditis according to Lake Louise criteria, without any clinical cardiac symptom. In these 9 patients, T2 ratio, EGE ratio and LGE (positive in all 9 SSc) were 2.8 ± 0.5%, 8 ± 3% and 5 ± 3% of LV mass, respectively. No correlation between CMR and blood inflammatory indices (C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate), cardiac troponin T, disease characteristics or type of SSc was identified. A repeat CMR at 6 months, after treatment with prednisone and azathioprine, showed normalisation of the acute inflammation CMR indices. Conclusions Silent myocarditis may be diagnosed using the Lake Louise paper criteria in SSc patients without cardiac symptoms, has no correlation with blood inflammatory indices, cardiac troponin or disease characteristics. CMR is a promising tool to diagnose silent myocarditis in SSc and monitor the response to immunosuppressive treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Mavrogeni
- Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, 50 Esperou Street, 175-61 P.Faliro, Athens, Greece.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Michel Noutsias
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Division of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Medical Care, University Hospital Halle, Martin-Luther-University Halle, Ernst-Grube-Straße 40, D-06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | | | - Genovefa Kolovou
- Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, 50 Esperou Street, 175-61 P.Faliro, Athens, Greece
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