Aortic regurgitation and Churg-Strauss syndrome

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance in Rheumatology to Detect Cardiac Involvement Since Early and Pre-clinical Stages of the Autoimmune Diseases: A Narrative Review

Autoimmune diseases (ADs) encompass multisystem disorders, and cardiovascular involvement is a well-known feature of autoimmune and inflammatory rheumatic conditions. Unfortunately, subclinical and early cardiovascular involvement remains clinically silent and often undetected, despite its well-documented impact on patient management and prognostication with an even more significant effect on severe and future MACE events as the disease progresses. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), today, commands a unique position of supremacy versus its competition in cardiac assessment and is the gold standard for the non-invasive evaluation of cardiac function, structure, morphology, tissue characterization, and flow with the capability of evaluating biventricular function; myocardium for edema, ischemia, fibrosis, infarction; valves for thickening, large masses; pericardial inflammation, pericardial effusions, and tamponade; cardiac cavities for thrombosis; conduction related abnormalities and features of microvascular and large vessel involvement. As precise and early detection of cardiovascular involvement plays a critical role in improving the outcome of rheumatic and autoimmune conditions, our review aims to highlight the evolving role of CMR in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic sclerosis (SSc), limited sclerosis (LSc), adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD), polymyositis (PM), dermatomyositis (DM), eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) (formerly Churg-Strauss syndrome), and DRESS syndrome (DS). It draws attention to the need for concerted, systematic global interdisciplinary research to improve future outcomes in autoimmune-related rheumatic conditions with multiorgan, multisystem, and cardiovascular involvement.

Disorders of the Aorta and Aortic Valve in Connective Tissue Diseases

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The incidence of aortic valve disease in inherited connective tissue disorders is well documented; however, recent studies have only begun to unravel the pathology behind this association. In this review, we aim to describe the etiology, clinical manifestations, management, and prognosis of aortic and aortic valvular disorders that co-exist in a variety of connective tissue diseases. An extensive literature review was performed in PubMed. Articles from 2008 to 2018 were included for review. Predetermined search terms used in PubMed include "aortic manifestation of connective tissue diseases" and "aortic valve disorders in rheumatologic disease."

RECENT FINDINGS

Manifestations of aortic valve disease in the context of connective tissue disorders include valvular stenosis, regurgitation, and/or thoracic aortic aneurysms. Both inherited and inflammatory connective tissue disorders contribute to aortic valve damage with increased susceptibility associated with specific gene variants. Anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive therapies have demonstrated beneficial results in Marfan's syndrome, Behcet disease, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and systemic sclerosis, often leading to remission. Yet, such therapy is less effective in other disorders compared to alternative treatments such as surgical intervention. Additionally, regular echocardiographic studies should be recommended to those suffering from these disorders, especially those at higher risk for cardiovascular involvement. Given the rates of relapse with immunosuppressants, even following aortic valve replacement, further studies are needed to determine if certain dosing and/or combinations of immunosuppressants could be given to those diagnosed with connective tissue diseases to prevent progression of aortic valve involvement.

Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA) Associated Vasculitis Causes Aortic Valve Degeneration and Severe Aortic Regurgitation

BACKGROUND Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA)/Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA)/Churg-Strauss' syndrome (CSS) are ANCA (antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies) associated vasculitides that can affect the heart, predominantly the myocardium. Valvular affection is rare and is described anecdotally. The purpose of this case report was to present aortic valve affection of an ANCA positive vasculitis. CASE REPORT We present the case with a 56-year-old male diagnosed with ANCA associated vasculitis, who began experiencing respiratory symptoms primarily thought to be respiratory tract affection. These symptoms worsened, and an echocardiography revealed heart failure with decreased left ventricular ejections fraction (EF=30-35%) and a severe insufficiency of the aortic valve. The patient underwent aortic valve replacement with symptomatic relief. Pathological examination of aortic valve resectates revealed inflammation and thickening of the aortic cusps. CONCLUSIONS Patients with ANCA associated vasculitis can rarely present with valvular inflammation causing severe regurgitation. The aortic valve can be involved, although cases have also described mitral valve involvement and both valves simultaneously. In patients with ANCA associated vasculitis a severe worsening of dyspnea can be caused by exacerbation of pulmonary involvement, but severe valvular disease should also be considered.

Heart involvement in Churg-Strauss syndrome: retrospective study in French Burgundy population in past 10 years

INTRODUCTION

Heart manifestations of Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) are varied. In the early stages of the disease, it is difficult to distinguish between lesions that are specific to CSS and those of other etiologies. The aim of our work was to compare the characteristics of patients with heart manifestations linked or not to Churg-Strauss syndrome.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We recorded all clinical symptoms of patients with CSS hospitalized between 1998 and 2008 in Burgundy, France, and determined the possible relationships between heart symptoms and CSS.

RESULTS

From a cohort of 31 patients, we found 20 with heart lesions. When heart lesions were present, we noted fewer initial symptoms of digestive disorders (p<0.05), lower levels of lung infiltrates and fewer anti-MPO pANCA (p<0.05). Heart lesions were linked to CSS in 75% of cases. Their patients were thus younger than those in the other cardiac patients (p<0.05), were more likely to have clinical manifestations of heart involvement at diagnosis, were less likely to have lung infiltrates on the X-ray at diagnosis and during flare-ups and less likely to have lung abnormalities on X-rays during flare-ups (p<0.05) and higher level of leucocytes and eosinophils at diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Heart lesions directly attributable to CSS are frequent, severe and probably underestimated. A specific physiopathology that is not mediated by ANCA seems to be involved in the genesis of CSS-related heart lesions.