Is there any link between atrial arrhythmias and inflammatory bowel disease?

Inflammatory bowel disease and cardiac function: a systematic review of literature with meta-analysis

Background

Morphological and functional cardiac involvement is rarely described in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) but there is evidence that they have an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) events despite the lower prevalence of traditional CV risk factors.

Objectives

Our systematic review and meta-analysis examined the relationship between IBD and cardiac function, namely the incidence of heart failure (HF) and subclinical echocardiographic changes.

Data sources and methods

Two medical databases, PubMed and Scopus, were systematically searched up to September 2022 to identify all studies reporting HF and/or echocardiographic changes in IBD patients.

Results

The qualitative analysis comprised a total of 18 studies (14 retrospective and 4 prospective studies) involving 59,838 patients. IBD was associated with subtle systolic and diastolic alterations, vascular dysfunction, increased risk for HF hospitalizations, and globally worse CV outcomes. Nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. In the IBD population, we found statistically significant reduced early to late diastolic transmitral flow (E/A), higher E to early diastolic mitral annular tissue velocity (E/e'), and decreased global longitudinal strain. Increased left atrial diameter and area were also present in IBD patients but no statistical significance was reached. Inter-atrial and right intra-atrial conduction delays were observed.

Conclusion

The IBD population has an increased risk for left ventricular and atrial dysfunction, vascular changes, arrhythmias, and HF hospitalization. Screening with sensitive imaging like speckle tracking echocardiography could identify early subclinical changes. IBD is in fact a CV risk factor and tight inflammation control may reduce CV risk.

Cardiovascular Comorbidities and Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Causes and Consequences

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) such as myocardial infarction and stroke. CVD in patients with IBD might occur in those with younger age and active disease, which are not traditional risk factors of CVD. Atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD) and IBD are both proinflammatory conditions, and the underlying chronic inflammation might drive ASCVD risk. Decreasing inflammation might reduce this risk; however, data are limited. IBD medications can increase or decrease ASCVD risk. There are no specific guidelines or modalities to assess ASCVD in IBD. Early detection and risk stratification strategies have been established in other chronic inflammatory disorders. This article discusses causes of CVD in IBD and strategies to modify the consequences.

Cardiovascular Manifestations in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of long-term systemic inflammatory disorders affecting the gastrointestinal tract, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, which may be associated with an increased risk of developing extraintestinal manifestations, including cardiovascular disease, thereby decreasing the quality of life. Pathophysiological changes associated with inflammatory bowel disease include alterations of the microbiome, endotoxemia, and changes to glucose and lipid metabolism. Inflammatory bowel disease patients have higher carotid intima-media thickness, lower flow-mediated dilatation, and increased carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, which are markers of elevated cardiovascular risk. In addition, inflammatory bowel disease patients are at an increased risk for developing venous and arterial thrombotic events due to a hypercoagulable state caused by thrombocytosis and coagulation system activation. To reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, lifestyle modifications, such as smoking cessation, dietary changes, and increased physical activity alongside management with appropriate medication, should be considered. This research paper examines how inflammatory bowel disease can influence the risk of cardiovascular complications and the involvement of drug therapy. Methods: PubMed was searched using keywords, such as inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, cardiovascular disease, pericarditis, thromboembolism, and many more. Relevant literature up to March 2023 has been examined and summarized, which consisted of data from various clinical trials, meta-analyses, retrospective/prospective cohort studies, and current guidelines.

Inflammatory bowel disease and atrial fibrillation: a contemporary overview

Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia in clinical practice and it is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Atrial fibrillation is linked with inflammatory signaling while inflammation and oxidative stress promote atrial remodeling promoting the development and perpetuation of the arrhythmia. On the other hand, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is considered a chronic inflammatory condition with flares and remissions. IBD has been associated with an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease but its relationship with atrial fibrillation has not been studied well. Recent epidemiological evidence indicates an association between IBD and atrial fibrillation, especially during flares/hospitalizations. This brief review provides a concise overview of all available data regarding the association between IBD and atrial fibrillation including the predictive role of electrocardiographic and echocardiographic markers. Several unresolved issues including the thromboembolic risk in this setting and the potential role of antiinflammatory interventions are also discussed.

The oft-overlooked cardiovascular complications of inflammatory bowel disease

INTRODUCTION

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may be associated with several extraintestinal comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). Chronic inflammation is recognized as an important factor in atherogenesis, thrombosis, and myocarditis.

AREAS COVERED

IBD patients may be at increased risk for developing early atherosclerosis, cardiovascular events, peripheral artery disease, venous thromboembolism, myocarditis, and arrhythmias. Anti-tumor necrosis factor agents and thiopurines have been shown to have a protective effect against acute arterial events, but more research is needed. However, an increased risk of venous thromboembolism and major cardiovascular events has been described with the use of Janus kinase inhibitors.

EXPERT OPINION

CVD risk is slightly increased in patients with IBD, especially during flares. Thromboprophylaxis is strongly recommended in hospitalized patients with active disease as the benefit of anticoagulation outweighs the risk of bleeding. The pathogenetic relationship between CVD and IBD and the impact of IBD drugs on CVD outcomes are not fully elucidated. CVD risk doesn't have the strength to drive a specific IBD treatment. However, proper CVD risk profiling should always be done and the best strategy to manage CVD risk in IBD patients is to combine appropriate thromboprophylaxis with early and durable remission of the underlying IBD.