Emerging Imaging Techniques for Atherosclerosis in Systemic Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Conditions

Atherosclerosis affects patients with systemic immune-mediated inflammatory diseases at an increased rate compared with the general population. In recent years, our understanding of the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis has advanced considerably. Nevertheless, cardiovascular imaging modalities that can adequately assess the biological background of atherosclerosis have not reached widespread clinical adoption. Novel developments in cardiac imaging have the potential to enhance the diagnostic yield of these modalities further while providing essential insights into the anatomy, composition, and biology of atherosclerotic lesions. In this review, we highlight some of the latest developments in the field for the evaluation of atherosclerosis using advances in echocardiography, computed tomography, positron emission tomography, and cardiovascular magnetic resonance. Additionally, we discuss evidence specifically in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases and outline unmet research needs for future development.

Changes in serum cholesterol loading capacity are linked to coronary atherosclerosis progression in rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

Excess cholesterol loading on arterial macrophages is linked to foam cell formation, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the effect of changes in cholesterol loading on coronary plaque trajectory and the impact of RA therapies on this relationship are unknown. We investigated the association between variations in cholesterol loading capacity (CLC) over time and atherosclerosis progression.

METHODS

In a prospective observational cohort study, coronary CT angiography evaluated atherosclerosis (non-calcified, partially calcified or fully calcified plaques and coronary artery calcium (CAC) score) in 100 patients with RA without cardiovascular disease at baseline and 6.9±0.4 years later. The presence of ≥5 plaques and lesions rendering >50% stenosis was considered an extensive and obstructive disease, respectively. Serum CLC was measured on human THP-1 monocyte-derived macrophages with a fluorometric assay.

RESULTS

Mean CLC change (follow-up CLC-baseline CLC) was 1.54 (SD 3.69) μg cholesterol/mg protein. In models adjusting for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk score, baseline plaque and other relevant covariates, CLC change (per SD unit increase) is associated with a higher likelihood of progression of non-calcified (OR 2.55, 95% CI 1.22 to 5.35), fully calcified plaque (OR 3.10, 95% CI 1.67 to 5.76), CAC (OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.18 to 2.74) and new extensive or obstructive disease (OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.11 to 5.34). Exposure to prednisone unfavourably influenced, while biologics and statins favourably affected the relationship between CLC change and atherosclerosis progression (all p-for-interactions ≤0.048).

CONCLUSION

CLC change is associated with atherosclerosis progression in a dose-dependent manner, including lipid-rich non-calcified plaques and extensive or obstructive disease that yield the greatest cardiovascular risk.

Biomarkers for identification of high-risk coronary artery plaques in patients with suspected coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

Patients with atherosclerotic plaques containing high-risk features have an increased likelihood of events and a worse prognosis. Whether increased levels of Troponin I (TnI) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are associated with the presence of high-risk coronary atherosclerotic plaques (HRP) is not well described. We assessed the association between 1) TnI and 2) CRP with quantified coronary plaque burden, luminal diameter stenosis, and HRP in patients with low/intermediate pre-test probability of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) referred for coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).

METHODS

The CCTA from 1615 patients were analyzed using a semiautomatic software for coronary artery plaque characterization. Patients with high TnI (>6 ​ng/L) and high CRP (>2 ​mg/L) were identified. Associations of TnI and CRP with plaque burden, stenosis (≥50% luminal diameter stenosis on CCTA), and HRP were investigated.

RESULTS

TnI and CRP were both positively correlated with total plaque burden (TnI rs ​= ​0.14, p ​< ​0.001; CRP rs ​= ​0.08, p ​< ​0.001). In multivariate logistic regression analyses, high TnI was associated with stenosis (OR 1.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03-1.99, p ​= ​0.034), the presence of HRP (OR 1.79, 95% CI: 1.17-2.74, p ​= ​0.008), and the subtypes of HRP; low attenuation plaque (OR 1.93, 95% CI: 1.24-3.00, p ​= ​0.003), and positive remodeling (OR 1.51, 95% CI: 1.07-2.13, p ​= ​0.018). For CRP, only stenosis and napkin ring sign correlated significantly.

CONCLUSION

In patients with suspected CAD, TnI and CRP are associated with HRP features. These findings may suggest that inflammatory and particularly ischemic biomarkers might improve early risk stratification and affect patient management.

CLINICALTRIALS

GOV IDENTIFIER

NCT02264717.

Cardiovascular complications of rheumatoid arthritis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients remain at higher cardiovascular (CV) risk compared to non-RA patients, driven by accelerated atherosclerosis, leading to plaque rupture and acute CV events (CVE), including heart failure (HF). It has been hypothesized that chronic inflammation is the main driving force behind such outcomes. We summarize the current evidence supporting this hypothesis, focusing on arterial disease and myocardial disease.

RECENT FINDINGS

RA patients demonstrate higher prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis (high risk plaque and arterial inflammation) compared to non-RA patients, with RA disease activity correlating independently with CVE and death. Nonischemic HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is more common in RA compared to non-RA, with subclinical myocardial structural and functional alterations also more prevalent in RA. HFpEF and myocardial remodeling and dysfunction bear a strong and independent association with inflammatory correlates.

SUMMARY

All of this suggests that inflammation contributes to enhanced risk of CVE in RA. A more accurate and specific CV risk stratification tool for RA, incorporating biomarkers or imaging, is needed. Likewise, more prospective studies outlining the trajectory from preclinical to clinical HF, incorporating biomarkers and imaging, are also needed.

The use of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I in assessing cardiac involvement and Disease prognosis in idiopathic inflammatory myopathy

OBJECTIVES

Cardiac involvement is one of the most serious complications of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) that indicates poor prognosis. However, there is a lack of effective biomarkers for the identification of cardiac involvement and the prediction of prognosis in IIM. Here, we aimed to explore the value of different cardiac biomarkers in IIM patients.

METHODS

A total of 142 IIM patients in the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Ruijin Hospital from July 2019 to October 2022 were included in this study. The clinical characteristics, laboratory tests, treatments and prognosis were recorded. The disease activity was assessed according to the core set measures. The correlations of the serum cardiac biomarkers levels with disease activity were analyzed by the Spearman correlation test. Risk factors for cardiac involvement were evaluated by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Higher high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) levels were associated with cardiac involvement (n = 41) in IIM patients [adjusted OR 7.810 (95% CI: 1.962-31.097); p = 0.004], independent of other serum cardiac biomarkers. The abnormal hs-cTnI had the highest AUC for distinguishing of cardiac involvement in IIM patients (AUC = 0.848, 95% CI: 0.772,0.924; p < 0.001). Besides, we found that high serum levels of hs-cTnI were significantly correlated with disease activity. Moreover, patients with higher serum levels of hs-cTnI tended to suffer from poor prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum hs-cTnI testing may play a role in screening for cardiac involvement in IIM patients. Abnormal levels of serum hs-cTnI were associated with increased disease activity and poor prognosis.

ATP-binding cassette G1 membrane transporter-mediated cholesterol efflux capacity influences coronary atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk in Rheumatoid Arthritis

OBJECTIVES

Cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) measures the ability of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) to remove cholesterol from macrophages and reduce the lipid content of atherosclerotic plaques. CEC inversely associated with cardiovascular risk beyond HDL-cholesterol levels. CEC through the ATP-binding-cassette G1 (ABCG1) membrane transporter is impaired in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We evaluated associations of ABCG1-CEC with coronary atherosclerosis, plaque progression and cardiovascular risk in RA.

METHODS

Coronary atherosclerosis (noncalcified, partially, fully-calcified, low-attenuation plaque) was assessed with computed tomography angiography in 140 patients and reevaluated in 99 after 6.9 ± 0.3 years. Cardiovascular events including acute coronary syndromes, stroke, cardiovascular death, claudication, revascularization and hospitalized heart failure were recorded. ABCG1-CEC was measured in Chinese hamster ovary cells as percentage of effluxed over total intracellular cholesterol.

RESULTS

ABCG1-CEC inversely associated with extensive atherosclerosis (≥5 plaques) (adjusted odds ratio 0.50 [95% CI 0.28-0.88]), numbers of partially-calcified (rate ratio [RR] 0.71 [0.53-0.94]) and low-attenuation plaques (RR 0.63 [0.43-0.91] per standard deviation increment). Higher ABCG1-CEC predicted fewer new partially-calcified plaques in patients with lower baseline and time-averaged CRP and fewer new noncalcified and calcified plaques in those receiving higher mean prednisone dose. ABCG1-CEC inversely associated with events in patients with but not without noncalcified plaques, with <median but not higher CRP and in prednisone users but not nonusers (p-for-interaction = 0.021, 0.033 and 0.008 respectively).

CONCLUSION

ABCG1-CEC inversely associated with plaque burden and vulnerability, and plaque progression conditionally on cumulative inflammation and corticosteroid dose. ABCG1-CEC inversely associated with events specifically in patients with noncalcified plaques, lower inflammation and in prednisone users.

Diagnosis and management of cardiovascular risk in rheumatoid arthritis: main challenges and research agenda

INTRODUCTION

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) exhibit a cardiovascular (CV) risk that is 1.5-2.0 times higher compared to the general population. This CV risk excess is likely caused by the involvement of chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation. Therefore, conventional algorithms and imaging techniques fail to fully account for this risk excess and provide a suboptimal risk stratification, hence limiting clinical management in this setting.

AREAS COVERED

Compelling evidence has suggested a role for adaptations of conventional algorithms (Framingham, SCORE, AHA, etc) or the development of RA-specific algorithms, as well as the use of a number of several, noninvasive imaging techniques to improve CV risk assessment in RA populations. Similarly, in-depth analyses of atherosclerosis pathogenesis in RA patients have shed new light into a plethora of soluble biomarkers (such as inflammatory cytokines, vascular remodeling mediators or autoantibodies) that may provide incremental value for CV risk stratification.

EXPERT OPINION

Extensive research has demonstrated a lack of performance of chart adaptations in capturing real CV risk in RA population, as well as for RA-specific algorithms. Similarly, limitations have been detected in the use of soluble mediators. The development of a novel, RA-specific algorithm including classical and non-traditional risk factors may be advisable.

High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T is associated with disease activity in patients with inflammatory arthritis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hsTnT) correlates to markers of disease activity in inflammatory arthritis (IA), and whether antirheumatic treatment influences hsTnT levels.

METHODS

We assessed 115 patients with active IA (64 rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 31 psoriatic arthritis and 20 ankylosing spondylitis) before and after using methotrexate (MTX) alone or tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) with or without MTX co-medication (TNFi±MTX). All patients starting with TNFi had been previously unsuccessfully treated with MTX monotherapy. HsTnT (measured in serum by electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay (Roche Elecsys® Troponin T- high-sensitivity)), and other clinical and laboratory parameters were evaluated at baseline, and after 6 weeks and 6 months of treatment.

RESULTS

Of markers of disease activity, baseline levels of hsTnT positively correlated with Physicians' Global Assessment Score of disease activity in the total patient cohort (p = 0.039). In RA group, hsTnT positively correlated with swollen joints, Disease Activity Score for 28 joints with ESR and serum tumor necrosis factor levels (p = 0.025, p = 0.008, p = 0.01, respectively). Median hsTnT at baseline was 5.0 ng/L, and did not change significantly at 6-week visit (6.0 ng/L, p = 0.37) and 6-month visit (6.0 ng/L, p = 0.18) with either antirheumatic therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

HsTnT levels were associated with inflammatory markers for IA disease activity. However, while inflammatory markers significantly improved after antirheumatic treatment, hsTnT did not change during the 6-month follow-up period.

High-sensitivity cardiac troponin I is a biomarker for increased arterial stiffness in systemic lupus erythematous women with normal kidney function

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a main cause of death in patients with systemic lupus erythematous (SLE). Algorithms for cardiovascular risk stratification in general population underestimate the risk for CVD in SLE. Our study aimed to determine whether serum high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) might help to identify SLE patients with subclinical atherosclerosis. Arterial stiffness was assessed measuring the carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) in 68 SLE women with a normal or almost normal kidney function and in 71 controls of similar characteristics. None of the participants had a history of an overt CVD. Serum hs-cTnI level was measured using the chemiluminescence method. Factors associated with an increased PWV (iPWV) were identified and multivariate analysis was performed. When detectable, patients tended to have had higher hs-cTnI levels than controls [2.9 (2.3-4.0) vs 2.4 (2.2-4.1); p = 0.098] and were more likely to have detectable hs-cTnI [50% vs 28%, odds ratio (OR) 7.0; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.008-0.013]. Also, patients with iPWV were more likely to have detectable hs-cTnI than those with normal PWV (OR 6.4; 95% CI 0.019-0.026). In the multivariate analysis, the age at SLE diagnosis (OR 1.24; 95% CI 1.04-1.48), systolic blood pressure (OR 1.28; 95% CI 1.10-1.48) and detectable hs-cTnI level (OR 2.04; 95% CI 1.18-3.50) were independently associated with an iPWV. The negative predictive value of having an iPWV with undetectable hs-cTnI levels was 88%. Hs-cTnI may be a useful biomarker for the identification of SLE patients with iPWV as a surrogated marker of subclinical atherosclerosis. Specifically targeted prospective studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Risk Stratification in the Rheumatic Diseases:: An Integrative, Multiparametric Approach

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is increased in most inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs), reiterating the role of inflammation in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. An inverse association of CVD risk with body weight and lipid levels has been described in IRDs. Coronary artery calcium scores, plaque burden and characteristics, and carotid plaques on ultrasound optimize CVD risk estimate in IRDs. Biomarkers of cardiac injury, autoantibodies, lipid biomarkers, and cytokines also improve risk assessment in IRDs. Machine learning and deep learning algorithms for phenotype and image analysis hold promise to improve CVD risk stratification in IRDs.

Lipoprotein oxidation may underlie the paradoxical association of low cholesterol with coronary atherosclerotic risk in rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

To compare coronary plaque burden, proatherogenic cytokines, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL), anti-oxLDL antibodies, lipoprotein(a)-cholesterol, and their relationships in patients with rheumatoid arthritis with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)<1.8 mmol/L versus ≥1.8 mmol/L. Also, to study differences in inflammation and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type-9 (PCSK9), which impacts LDL clearance, in patients with low versus high LDL-C.

METHODS

Computed tomography angiography evaluated coronary plaque (noncalcified, partially calcified, fully calcified, and high-risk plaque) in 150 patients from a single-center observational cohort. Ox-LDL, anti-oxLDL IgG, lipoprotein(a)-cholesterol, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and PCSK9 were measured. Analyses adjusted for Framingham general cardiovascular risk score, statin use, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

RESULTS

Patients with LDL-C<1.8 mmol/L versus ≥1.8 mmol/L demonstrated: 1) higher likelihood of per-segment plaque (adjusted-OR = 1.67 [95%CI = 1.10-2.55], p = 0.017) and high-risk plaque presence (adjusted-OR 2.78 [95%CI = 1.06-7.29], p = 0.038); 2) greater anti-oxLDL titers (p = 0.020), which positively associated with TNF-α and likelihood of noncalcified, partially calcified and high-risk plaque presence only in patients with LDL-C<1.8 mmol/L (all p-for-interaction≤0.046); 3) increased lipoprotein(a)-cholesterol content (10.33% [8.11-12.54] versus 6.68% [6.10-7.25], p < 0.001), which positively associated with oxLDL (p < 0.001) and anti-oxLDL (p = 0.036); 4) higher interleukin-6 and PCSK9. No differences in CRP, ESR, or oxLDL were observed.

CONCLUSION

RA patients with LDL-C<1.8 mmol/L had more coronary plaque, higher anti-oxLDL titers and anti-oxLDL associated with plaque only in this group. It is possible the observed paradoxical association of low LDL-C with greater atherosclerosis may be related to higher production of the oxidation-prone lipoprotein(a)-cholesterol and anti-oxLDL antibodies, resulting in increased vascular LDL uptake and plaque formation.

Association of Cardiac Biomarkers With Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis and Psoriasis: A Longitudinal Cohort Study

Objective

In patients with psoriatic disease (PsD), we determined whether cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and N‐terminal pro–brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) were associated with carotid plaque burden and the development of cardiovascular events independent of the Framingham Risk Score (FRS).

Methods

Among 1,000 patients with PsD, carotid total plaque area (TPA) was measured in 358 participants at baseline. Cardiac troponin I and NT‐proBNP were measured using automated clinical assays. The association between cardiac biomarkers and carotid atherosclerosis was assessed by multivariable regression after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors. Improvement in the prediction of cardiovascular events beyond the FRS was tested using measures of risk discrimination and reclassification.

Results

In univariate analyses, cTnI (β coefficient 0.52 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.3, 0.74], P < 0.001) and NT‐proBNP (β coefficient 0.24 [95% CI 0.1, 0.39], P < 0.001) were associated with TPA. After adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors, the association remained statistically significant for cTnI (adjusted β coefficient 0.21 [95% CI 0, 0.41], P = 0.047) but not for NT‐proBNP (P = 0.21). Among the 1,000 patients with PsD assessed for cardiovascular risk prediction, 64 patients had incident cardiovascular events. When comparing a base model (with the FRS alone) to expanded models (with the FRS plus cardiac biomarkers), there was no improvement in predictive performance.

Conclusion

In patients with PsD, cTnI may reflect the burden of atherosclerosis, independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Cardiac troponin I and NT‐proBNP are associated with incident cardiovascular events independent of the FRS, but further study of their role in cardiovascular risk stratification is warranted.

The impact of statins on coronary atherosclerosis progression and long-term cardiovascular disease risk in rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate whether statins lower cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and if tentative benefits are related to changes in coronary plaque burden or composition.

METHODS

In an observational cohort study, 150 patients without CVD underwent coronary atherosclerosis evaluation (total, noncalcified, partially and fully calcified plaque) with computed tomography angiography. Prespecified cardiovascular events including cardiac death, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, revascularization, stroke, claudication, and heart failure were prospectively recorded. Change in plaque burden and composition was re-assessed in 102 patients within 6.9±0.3 years.

RESULTS

Time varying statin therapy, modeled using inverse probability treatment and censoring weights, did not significantly attenuate CVD risk in RA overall (adjusted- OR = 0.39 [95%CI=0.15-1.07], p = 0.067). However, statins associated with lower CVD risk in patients with baseline CRP>0.5mg/dL (adjusted-OR=0.09 [95%CI=0.03-0.30], p < 0.001) but not in those with CRP<0.5mg/dL (p-interaction=0.023), after controlling for Framingham-CVD score and time-varying bDMARD use. In patients treated with statin >50% of follow-up time, CRP did not associate with new plaque formation (adjusted-OR=0.42 [95%CI=0.09-1.94]), in contrast to statin-naïve (adjusted-OR=1.89 [95%CI=1.41-2.54]) and statin-treated <50% time (adjusted-OR=1.41 [95%CI=1.03-1.95], p-interaction=0.029). Statin therapy >50% follow-up time predicted dissipation (adjusted-OR=5.84 [95%CI=1.29-26.55]) and calcification of prevalent noncalcified lesions (adjusted-OR=4.16 [95%CI=1.11-15.54]), as well as new calcified plaque formation in segments without baseline plaque (adjusted-OR=2.84 [95%CI=1.09-7.41]).

CONCLUSION

Statin therapy associated with lower long-term cardiovascular risk in RA patients with higher inflammation. Moreover, statin therapy modified the impact of inflammation on new coronary plaque formation and predicted both regression and calcification of prevalent noncalcified lesions.

Chronic inflammatory diseases and coronary heart disease: Insights from cardiovascular CT

Epidemiological and clinical studies have demonstrated a consistent relationship between increased systemic inflammation and increased risk of cardiovascular events. In chronic inflammatory states, traditional risk factors only partially account for the development of coronary artery disease (CAD) but underestimate total cardiovascular risk likely due to the residual risk of inflammation. Computed coronary tomography angiography (CCTA) may aid in risk stratification by noninvasively capturing early CAD, identifying high risk plaque morphology and quantifying plaque at baseline and in response to treatment. In this review, we focus on reviewing studies on subclinical atherosclerosis by CCTA in individuals with chronic inflammatory conditions including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematous (SLE), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and psoriasis. We start with a brief review on the role of inflammation in atherosclerosis, highlight the utility of using CCTA to delineate vessel wall and plaque characteristics and discuss combining CCTA with laboratory studies and emerging technologies to complement traditional risk stratification in chronic inflammatory states.

Biologics and atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk in rheumatoid arthritis: a review of evidence and mechanistic insights

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is a leading comorbidity in rheumatoid arthritis. Timely introduction of biologic therapies in a treat-to-target approach has optimized disease-related outcomes and attenuated accrual of comorbidities, including cardiovascular risk.Areas covered: A literature search in MEDLINE (via PubMed) was performed between January 2009 and November 2020. This manuscript explores recent developments in atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk in RA compared with non-RA individuals; it synopsizes differences in vascular function and inflammation, prevalence, burden, vulnerability, and progression of atherosclerotic plaque and their underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms. Finally, it reviews the recent literature on cardioprotective benefits of biologics and draws mechanistic links with inhibition of new plaque formation, stabilization of high-risk lesions and improvement in endothelial function, arterial stiffness, lipid metabolism, and traditional cardiac risk factors.Expert opinion: Increasing evidence points to a solid cardioprotective influence of earlier, longer, and ongoing use of biologic treatments in RA. Nevertheless, the precise mechanistic effects of plaque progression and remodeling, vascular stiffness, endothelial dysfunction, lipid metabolism, and traditional cardiac risk factors are less rigorously characterized.

Divergence of Cardiovascular Biomarkers of Lipids and Subclinical Myocardial Injury Among Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients With Increased Inflammation

OBJECTIVE

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are 1.5 times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease (CVD) attributed to chronic inflammation. A decrease in inflammation in patients with RA is associated with increased low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. This study was undertaken to prospectively evaluate the changes in lipid levels among RA patients experiencing changes in inflammation and determine the association with concomitant temporal patterns in markers of myocardial injury.

METHODS

A total of 196 patients were evaluated in a longitudinal RA cohort, with blood samples and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels measured annually. Patients were stratified based on whether they experienced either a significant increase in inflammation (an increase in hsCRP of ≥10 mg/liter between any 2 time points 1 year apart; designated the increased inflammation cohort [n = 103]) or decrease in inflammation (a decrease in hsCRP of ≥10 mg/liter between any 2 time points 1 year apart; designated the decreased inflammation cohort [n = 93]). Routine and advanced lipids, markers of inflammation (interleukin-6, hsCRP, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor II), and markers of subclinical myocardial injury (high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T [hs-cTnT], N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide) were measured.

RESULTS

Among the patients in the increased inflammation cohort, the mean age was 59 years, 81% were women, and the mean RA disease duration was 17.9 years. The average increase in hsCRP levels was 36 mg/liter, and this increase was associated with significant reductions in LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, total cholesterol, apolipoprotein (Apo B), and Apo A-I levels. In the increased inflammation cohort at baseline, 45.6% of patients (47 of 103) had detectable circulating hs-cTnT, which further increased during inflammation (P = 0.02). In the decreased inflammation cohort, hs-cTnT levels remained stable despite a reduction in inflammation over follow-up. In both cohorts, hs-cTnT levels were associated with the overall estimated risk of CVD.

CONCLUSION

Among RA patients who experienced an increase in inflammation, a significant decrease in routinely measured lipids, including LDL cholesterol, and an increase in markers of subclinical myocardial injury were observed. These findings highlight the divergence in biomarkers of CVD risk and suggest a role in future studies examining the benefit of including hs-cTnT for CVD risk stratification in RA.

Association Among Noncalcified Coronary Burden, Fractional Flow Reserve, and Myocardial Injury in Psoriasis

Background

Myocardial infarction and premature death have been observed in patients with psoriasis. Although inflammation‐driven accelerated atherosclerosis has been proposed as a mechanism, the relationship between subclinical noncalcified coronary burden (NCB), functional coronary flow impairment, and myocardial injury is unclear.

Methods and Results

In an ongoing longitudinal cohort study, 202 consecutive patients with psoriasis (168 at 1 year) underwent coronary computed tomography angiography to identify coronary plaque, quantify NCB, and calculate coronary fractional flow reserve by computed tomography. Serum high‐sensitivity troponin‐T (hs‐cTn‐T) was measured using a fifth‐generation assay. Overall, patients were middle‐aged, predominantly male, and low cardiovascular risk. A higher than median NCB associated with a positive hs‐cTn‐T (fully adjusted model [odds ratio (OR), 1.72; 95% CI, 1.10–2.69, P=0.018]) at baseline. Additionally, patients with a higher than median baseline NCB had higher odds of positive hs‐cTn‐T at 1 year in fully adjusted analyses (adjusted OR, 2.36; 95% CI, 1.47–3.79, P<0.001). Higher NCB was associated with a higher frequency of fractional flow reserve by computed tomography ≤0.80 (36.11% versus 25.11%, Pearson χ²=6.84, P=0.009, unadjusted OR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.36–3.22, P<0.001) and higher frequency of a positive hs‐cTn‐T (54.36% versus 27.54%, Pearson χ²=32.23, P<0.001) in adjusted models (OR, 2.63; 95% CI, 1.56–4.42, P<0.001).

Conclusions

NCB was associated with hs‐cTn‐T at baseline as well as at 1 year. Furthermore, patients with high NCB had higher prevalence of fractional flow reserve by computed tomography ≤0.80 and a >2‐ fold higher odds of positive hs‐cTn‐T. These findings underscore the importance of early vascular disease in driving myocardial injury, and support conduct of myocardial perfusion studies to better understand these findings.

Trends of Cardiac Complications in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: Analysis of the United States National Inpatient Sample; 2005-2014

BACKGROUND

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory condition. Chronic inflammation is associated with atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic kidney disease. But sparse data are available regarding the trends of cardiovascular diseases and complications in RA. We conducted a National Inpatient Sample database analysis to demonstrate the trends of cardiac complications in patients with RA.

METHODS

We used National Inpatient Sample data from 2005 to 2014 to identify admissions with the diagnosis of RA and identified who had associated cardiovascular complications also. The International Classification of Diseases-9th Revision-Clinical Modification codes were used for the diagnoses of RA; congestive heart failure (CHF), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and atrial fibrillation (AF).

RESULTS

A statistically significant increasing trend of AMI, CHF, and AF was found. Independent predictors of mortality in RA patients with AMI were age (OR 1.03, CI 1.02-1.04; P < 0.001), COPD (OR 1.67, CI 1.40-2.00; P < 0.001), cerebrovascular disease (OR 2.207, CI 1.71-2.86; P < 0.001), renal disease (OR 1.42, CI 1.16-1.75; P = 0.001), and alcohol abuse (OR 2.73, CI 1.73-4.32; P < 0.001). Independent predictors of mortality in RA patients with CHF were age (odds ratio [OR] 1.02, confidence interval [CI] 1.017-1.024; P < 0.001]), COPD (OR 1.09, CI 1.01-1.18; P = 0.023), cerebrovascular disease (OR 1.67, CI 1.44-1.95; P < 0.001), renal disease (OR 1.16, CI 1.07-1.27; P = 0.001). Independent predictors of mortality in RA patients with AF were age (OR 1.02, CI 1.02-1.03; P < 0.001), race (OR 1.16, CI 1.02-1.31; P = 0.022), COPD (OR 1.56, CI 1.42-1.71; P < 0.001), peripheral arterial disease (OR 1.34, CI 1.16-1.53; P < 0.001), cerebrovascular disease (OR 2.27, CI 1.0-2.58; P < 0.001), renal disease (OR 1.60, CI 1.44-1.80; P < 0.001). The mortality trend has increased significantly in the CHF (P = 0.025) and AF (P = 0.042) groups during this study period.

CONCLUSIONS

We have found a significant increase in trend of cardiovascular complications in RA patients. The proportion of patients, with cardiovascular comorbidities, have also been increased significantly.