Cardiac manifestations in systemic sclerosis

Macrophage metabolic reprogramming: A trigger for cardiac damage in autoimmune diseases

Macrophage metabolic reprogramming has a central role in the progression of autoimmune and auto-inflammatory diseases. The heart is a major target organ in many autoimmune conditions and can sustain functional and structural impairments, potentially leading to irreversible cardiac damage. There is mounting clinical evidence pointing to a link between autoimmune disease and cardiac damage. However, this association remains poorly understood, and numerous patients do not receive appropriate preventive measures, which poses serious cardiovascular risks and significantly impacts their quality of life. This review discusses the relationship between macrophage metabolic reprogramming and cardiac damage in patients with autoimmune diseases and the role of adaptive immunity in macrophage reprogramming. It also provides an overview of the immunosuppressive therapies used at present. Exploiting the properties of macrophage reprogramming could lead to development of novel treatments for patients with autoimmune-related cardiac damage.

Progranulin, sICAM-1, and sVCAM-1 May Predict an Increased Risk for Ventricular Arrhythmias in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis

In systemic sclerosis (SSc), fibrosis of the myocardium along with ongoing autoimmune inflammation can alter the electric function of the cardiac myocytes, which may increase the risk for ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. We analyzed the electrocardiographic (ECG) variables describing ventricular repolarization such as QT interval, QT dispersion (QTd), T wave peak-to-end interval (Tpe), and arrhythmogeneity index (AIX) of 26 patients with SSc and 36 healthy controls. Furthermore, echocardiographic and laboratory parameters were examined, with a focus on inflammatory proteins like C-reactive ptotein (CRP), soluble intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), and progranulin (PGRN). The CRP, sICAM-1, and sVCAM-1 levels were positively correlated with the length of the QT interval. Although the serum PGRN levels were not increased in the SSc group compared to the controls, in SSc patients, the PGRN levels were positively correlated with the QT interval and the AIX. According to our results, we conclude that there may be a potential association between autoimmune inflammation and the risk for ventricular arrhythmias in patients with SSc. We emphasize that the measurement of laboratory parameters of inflammatory activity including CRP, PGRN, sVCAM-1, and sICAM-1 could be helpful in the prediction of sudden cardiac death in patients with SSc.

Role of Left Ventricular Dysfunction in Systemic Sclerosis-Related Pulmonary Hypertension

BACKGROUND

In systemic sclerosis (SSc), pulmonary hypertension remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Although conventionally classified as group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension, systemic sclerosis-related pulmonary hypertension (SSc-PH) is a heterogeneous disease. The contribution of left-sided cardiac disease in SSc-PH remains poorly understood.

RESEARCH QUESTION

How often does left ventricular (LV) dysfunction occur in SSc among patients undergoing right heart catheterization and how does coexistent LV dysfunction with SSc-PH affect all-cause mortality in this patient population?

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective, observational study of 165 patients with SSc who underwent both echocardiography and right heart catheterization. LV dysfunction was identified using LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) on speckle-tracking echocardiography based on a defined threshold of > -18%. SSc-PH was defined by a mean pulmonary artery pressure > 20 mmHg.

RESULTS

Among patients with SSc who have undergone right heart catheterization, LV dysfunction occurred in 74.2% with SSc-PH and 51.2% without SSc-PH. The median survival of patients with SSc-PH and LV dysfunction was 67.9 (95% CI, 38.3-102.0) months, with a hazard ratio of 12.64 (95% CI, 1.73-92.60) for all-cause mortality when adjusted for age, sex, SSc disease duration, and FVC compared with patients with SSc without pulmonary hypertension with normal LV function.

INTERPRETATION

LV dysfunction is common in SSc-PH. Patients with SSc-PH and LV dysfunction by LV GLS have increased all-cause mortality. This suggests that LV GLS may be helpful in identifying underlying LV dysfunction and in risk assessment of patients with SSc-PH.

Clinical courses and predictors of left ventricular systolic dysfunction in systemic sclerosis: A cohort study

Background and Objectives

Left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) is a cardiac involvement that is the leading cause of death among patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). We aimed to define the clinical course and predictors of LVSD among SSc patients.

Methods

We conducted a cohort study among adult patients with SSc who were followed up from 2013 to 2020. Semiparametric Cox regression analysis with robust clustering by cohort identification number was used to evaluate the predictors of LVSD.

Results

Among the 3, 987 person-years, LVSD was defined in 35 of 419 SSc patients for an incidence of 0.88 per 100 person-years. The median duration of the disease was 8.5 (interquartile range (IQR) 4.9-12.9) years. Every 1-point increase in the modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) and salt and pepper skin were strong predictors of LVSD, with a respective adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 1.05 and 3.17. During follow-up, 26 cases (74.3%) had unimproved LVSD. The strong predictors of the unimprovement of LVSD were every 1-point increase in mRSS (HR 1.05), every 1 mg increase in prednisolone treatment (HR 1.05), and every 1 U/L increase in creatine kinase (CK) (HR 1.001). Mycophenolate treatment was a protective factor against the unimprovement of LVSD in SSc (HR 0.15).

Conclusions

LVSD was frequently found in patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc, and in most cases, it remained unimproved during follow-up. High mRSS, steroid use, and high CK levels were predictors of unimproved LVSD, whereas mycophenolate treatment might prevent the progression of LVSD. Steroids should be prescribed with caution in patients with longer disease duration.

Prognostic significance of pericardial effusion in systemic sclerosis-associated pulmonary hypertension: analysis from the PHAROS Registry

OBJECTIVES

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a leading cause of death in patients with SSc. The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic significance of pericardial effusion in patients with SSc-PH.

METHODS

Pulmonary Hypertension Assessment and Recognition of Outcomes in Scleroderma (PHAROS) is a prospective multicentre registry which enrolled patients with newly diagnosed SSc-PH from 2005 to 2016. The prognostic impact of pericardial effusion status, including those who ever or never had pericardial effusion, and those who had persistent or intermittent pericardial effusion, was analysed. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses, log-rank test, and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression were performed.

RESULTS

Of the 335 patients with SSc-PH diagnosed by right heart catheterization and documentation of pericardial effusion presence or absence on echocardiogram, 166 (50%) ever had pericardial effusion. Ever having pericardial effusion was not predictive of survival (log-rank test P = 0.49). Of the 245 SSc-PH patients who had at least two echocardiograms, 44% had a change in pericardial effusion status over an average of 4.3 years of follow up. Having a persistent pericardial effusion was an independent predictor of survival [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR)=2.34, 95% CI 1.20, 4.64, P = 0.002], while intermittent pericardial effusion was not a predictor of survival (aHR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.52, 1.56, P = 0.68), in a multivariable-adjusted analysis.

CONCLUSION

Persistent pericardial effusion, but not ever having had pericardial effusion or intermittent pericardial effusion, was independently associated with poorer survival. Incorporating information from serial echocardiograms may help clinicians better prognosticate survival in their SSc-PH patients.

Prognostic value of right atrial strain in systemic sclerosis based on tissue tracking analysis using cine cardiac magnetic resonance imaging: a retrospective observational study

Interstitial lung disease and cardiac involvement are common manifestations and prognostic factors of systemic sclerosis. However, it is unclear whether impaired right atrial function associated with interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis can be used as a prognostic factor in this patient population. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between right atrial function, interstitial lung disease, and prognosis in patients with systemic sclerosis using tissue tracking analysis with cine cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. In this retrospective observational study, a total of 40 patients with systemic sclerosis were enrolled. Tissue tracking analysis was used to obtain time curves of right atrial strain. Reservoir (total strain), conduit (passive strain), and booster (active strain) pump function were calculated, and right atrial strain, interstitial lung disease, and clinical outcomes were examined. An adverse clinical event was defined as all-cause death. Overall, 23 patients had interstitial lung disease (58%). Six patients died during the follow-up (median, 44 months). The total skin score and right ventricular systolic pressure on echocardiography were higher in patients with an event than in those without an event (28 ± 16% vs. 13 ± 13%, P = 0.02; 46.3 ± 10.7 mmHg vs. 36.0 ± 8.5 mmHg, P = 0.01, respectively). Further, right atrial total strain and active strain were significantly lower in patients with an event than in those without an event (14.3 ± 11.3% vs. 25.8 ± 11.4%, P = 0.03; 3.48 ± 2.37 vs. 11.7 ± 6.78, P = 0.007, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed that active strain was an independent predictor of all-cause death (hazard ratio 0.76, P = 0.029). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the survival rate was significantly higher in patients with right atrial active strain levels above the cutoff 7.4 (P < 0.05). In systemic sclerosis, right atrial booster function was predictive of mortality. Hence, right atrial functional assessment may have incremental prognostic value for patients with systemic sclerosis, leading to better risk stratification.

Are there more acute cardiac hospitalizations in winter in patients with systemic sclerosis? An analysis from the National Inpatient Sample

Objective

Cold-induced transient myocardial ischemia has been described in patients with systemic sclerosis. The clinical impact of cold exposure in systemic sclerosis patients with acute cardiac conditions is unknown. We compared the seasonal variation of acute cardiac hospitalizations in patients with and without systemic sclerosis.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study using the National Inpatient Sample from 2016 to 2019. The primary outcome was acute cardiac hospitalization primarily due to heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, or cardiac arrhythmias. We compared the proportion of acute cardiac hospitalizations in each season in patients with and without systemic sclerosis. We also performed a subgroup analysis by US geographic region (Northeast, Midwest, South, West).

Results

There were a total of 10,118,002 acute cardiac hospitalizations over the 4-year study period. Compared to those without systemic sclerosis, patients with systemic sclerosis who were hospitalized for acute cardiac care were younger (mean age 67 ± 13 vs 70 ± 14 years, p < 0.01), a greater proportion were female (82% vs 45%, p < 0.01), and a smaller proportion were Caucasian (68% vs 71%, p < 0.01). There was a lesser proportion of traditional cardiovascular risk factors in systemic sclerosis compared to non-systemic sclerosis patients. There was no significant difference in the proportion of winter admissions between systemic sclerosis and non-systemic sclerosis patients for total acute cardiac hospitalizations (26.4% vs 25.9%, p = 0.51), heart failure (27.0% vs 26.5%, p = 0.64), acute myocardial infarction (26.9% vs 25.5%, p = 0.50), or arrhythmias (24.3% vs 25.0%, p = 0.68). The results were consistent across all four US geographic regions.

Conclusion

Our study did not support that patients with systemic sclerosis had a disproportionally higher risk of acute cardiac hospitalization in winter compared to the general population. We found that systemic sclerosis patients hospitalized for acute cardiac care had a lower burden of traditional cardiovascular risk factors than their non-systemic sclerosis counterparts.

Myocarditis in connective tissue diseases: an often-overlooked clinical manifestation

To discuss what is currently known about myocarditis in the context of major connective tissue diseases, including Systemic lupus erythematosus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sjogren, Dermato-myositis and Polymyositis, Systemic Sclerosis, and Mixed connective tissue disease. Variability exists between studies regarding the incidence of myocarditis in connective tissue diseases, which is hypothesized to be the result of its subclinical course in most cases. Extensive gaps of knowledge exist in the field of pathophysiology. Although endomyocardial biopsy remains to be the gold standard for diagnosis, the advancement in non-invasive modalities such as cardiac MRI, echocardiography, and nuclear medicine has allowed for earlier and more frequent detection of myocarditis. A lack of treatment guidelines was found across the different connective tissue diseases. Most of the literature available revolved around myocarditis in the context of Systemic lupus erythematosus. Numerous recent studies were published that contributed to advancements in diagnosis and treatment however, there remains a lack of diagnostic and treatment guidelines.

Economic and Health Care Resource Use Burden of Systemic Sclerosis

OBJECTIVE

To describe the health care resource use (HCRU) and costs of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) prior to and after diagnosis.

METHODS

This retrospective study used a claims data set (Merative MarketScan; 2015-2019). Eligible patients with SSc were identified by diagnosis codes and required at least 24 months of enrollment without an SSc diagnosis before their first SSc claim and at least 12 months of enrollment thereafter. Total HCRU and costs were reported for three intervals: 2 years and 1 year before and 1 year after index diagnosis. A general population cohort without SSc was matched 1:1 to the SSC cohort on age and sex for comparison.

RESULTS

Eligibility criteria identified 902 patients with SSc (mean age: 54 years old; 85% female). Mean per-member per year costs increased each year from $22,383 to $29,708 to $47,095, 2 years before, 1 year before, and 1 year after index diagnosis versus $10,232 to $9656 to $9714 in the general population cohort. Outpatient settings represented the largest proportion of cost 1 year after SSc diagnosis ($16,392), followed by prescription drugs ($10,692), physician office ($10,523), and inpatient ($9448) settings.

CONCLUSION

Patients with SSC accrued greater costs and required more services than a general population cohort. These elevated expenditures and HCRU were observed at least 2 years before an SSc diagnosis and increased over time, reflecting both the progressive, multisystem nature of SSc and potential challenges in diagnosis. These findings suggest that SSc poses a substantial burden on the US health care system and highlights the need for early diagnosis and effective therapies.

Treatable Traits in Systemic Sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic systemic disease within the spectrum of connective tissue diseases, specifically characterized by vascular abnormalities and inflammatory and fibrotic involvement of the skin and internal organs resulting in high morbidity and mortality. The clinical phenotype of SSc is heterogeneous, and serum autoantibodies together with the extent of skin involvement have a predictive value in the risk stratification. Current recommendations include an organ-based management according to the predominant involvement with only limited individual factors included in the treatment algorithm. Similar to what has been proposed for other chronic diseases, we hypothesize that a "treatable trait" approach based on relevant phenotypes and endotypes could address the unmet needs in SSc stratification and treatment to maximize the outcomes. We provide herein a comprehensive review and a critical discussion of the literature regarding potential treatable traits in SSc, focusing on established and candidate biomarkers, with the purpose of setting the bases for a precision medicine-based approach. The discussion, structured based on the organ involvement, allows to conjugate the pathogenetic mechanisms of tissue injury with the proposed predictors, particularly autoantibodies and other serum biomarkers. Ultimately, we are convinced that precision medicine is the ideal guide to manage a complex condition such as SSc for which available treatments are largely unsatisfactory.

Connective tissue disease-associated pulmonary hypertension: A comprehensive review

Connective tissue diseases (CTDs) can be associated with various forms of pulmonary hypertension, including pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), pulmonary veno-occlusive disease, pulmonary venous hypertension, interstitial lung disease-associated pulmonary hypertension, chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, and sometimes a combination of several processes. The prevalence of PAH varies among the different CTDs, with systemic sclerosis (SSc) having the highest at 8%-12%. The most recent European Society of Cardiology/European Respiratory Society guidelines recommend routine annual screening for PAH in SSc and CTDs with SSc features. As CTDs can be associated with a myriad of presentations of pulmonary hypertension, a thorough evaluation to include a right heart catheterization to clearly delineate the hemodynamic profile is essential in developing an appropriate treatment plan. Treatment strategies will depend on the predominant phenotype of pulmonary vasculopathy. In general, management approach to CTD-PAH mirrors that of idiopathic PAH. Despite this, outcomes of CTD-PAH are inferior to those of idiopathic PAH, with those of SSc-PAH being particularly poor. Reasons for this may include extrapulmonary manifestations of CTDs, including renal disease and gastrointestinal involvement, concurrent interstitial lung disease, and differences in the innate response of the right ventricle to increased pulmonary vascular resistance. Early referral for lung transplant evaluation of patients with CTD-PAH, particularly SSc-PAH, is recommended. It is hoped that in the near future, additional therapies may be added to the armamentarium of effective treatments for CTD-PAH. Ultimately, a better understanding of the pathogenesis of CTD-PAH will be required to develop targeted therapies for this morbid condition.

Knowledgebase strategies to aid interpretation of clinical correlation research

OBJECTIVE

Knowledgebases are needed to clarify correlations observed in real-world electronic health record (EHR) data. We posit design principles, present a unifying framework, and report a test of concept.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We structured a knowledge framework along 3 axes: condition of interest, knowledge source, and taxonomy. In our test of concept, we used hypertension as our condition of interest, literature and VanderbiltDDx knowledgebase as sources, and phecodes as our taxonomy. In a cohort of 832 566 deidentified EHRs, we modeled blood pressure and heart rate by sex and age, classified individuals by hypertensive status, and ran a Phenome-wide Association Study (PheWAS) for hypertension. We compared the correlations from PheWAS to the associations in our knowledgebase.

RESULTS

We produced PhecodeKbHtn: a knowledgebase comprising 167 hypertension-associated diseases, 15 of which were also negatively associated with blood pressure (pos+neg). Our hypertension PheWAS included 1914 phecodes, 129 of which were in the PhecodeKbHtn. Among the PheWAS association results, phecodes that were in PhecodeKbHtn had larger effect sizes compared with those phecodes not in the knowledgebase.

DISCUSSION

Each source contributed unique and additive associations. Models of blood pressure and heart rate by age and sex were consistent with prior cohort studies. All but 4 PheWAS positive and negative correlations for phecodes in PhecodeKbHtn may be explained by knowledgebase associations, hypertensive cardiac complications, or causes of hypertension independently associated with hypotension.

CONCLUSION

It is feasible to assemble a knowledgebase that is compatible with EHR data to aid interpretation of clinical correlation research.

Predictors and survival of cardiomyopathy determined by echocardiography in Thai patients with early systemic sclerosis: an inception cohort study

Available data including the incidence, predictors and long-term outcome of early systemic sclerosis patients associated with suspected cardiomyopathy(SSc-CM) is limited. Therefore, we aimed to study the incidence, predictors and survival of SSc-CM. An inception cohort study was conducted for early SSc patients seen at the Rheumatology Clinic, Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, Thailand, from January 2010 to December 2019. All patients were determined for clinical manifestations and underwent echocardiography and HRCT at enrollment and then annually. SSc-CM was determined and classified using echocardiography. 135 early SSc patients (82 female,108 DcSSc) were enrolled. With the mean follow-up period of 6.4 years, 32 patients developed SSc-CM. The incidence of SSc-CM was 5.3 per 100-person years. The multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that baseline anti-topoisomerase I-positive (Hazard ratio[HR] 4.86, p = 0.036), dysphagia (HR 3.35, p = 0.001), CK level ≥ 500 U/L(HR 2.27, p = 0.045) and low oxygen saturation (HR 0.82, p = 0.005) were predictors of SSc-CM. The survival rates after SSc-CM diagnosis at 1, 5 and 10 years were 90.3%, 73.1%, and 56.1%, respectively. In this study cohort, the incidence of SSc-CM was 5.3 per 100-person years, and tended to have low survival. The presence of anti-topoisomerase I antibody, dysphagia, CK level ≥ 500 U/L, and low oxygen saturation were independent baseline predictors for developing SSc-CM.

The clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with systemic sclerosis with myocardial involvement

BACKGROUND

Myocardial involvement (MI) is the primary cause of death in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). We analyzed patients with SSc and MI to identify their characteristics and outcome.

METHOD

We retrospectively collected data from SSc patients with MI admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 2012 and May 2021. SSc patients without MI were randomly selected as controls after matching age and gender at a ratio of 1:3.

RESULTS

In total, 21 SSc patients (17 females) with MI were enrolled. The mean age at SSc onset was 42.3 ± 15.1 years old. Compared with controls, myositis (42.9% vs. 14.3%, P = 0.014) and elevation of CK (33.3% vs. 4.8%, P = 0.002) were more common in patients with MI. Of the 7 patients without cardiovascular symptoms, 3 /5 showed elevations in cardiac troponin-I (cTnI), 6 showed elevations of N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). Eleven patients were followed up for a median period of 15.5 months and four patients developed newly occurring left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50%.

CONCLUSION

One third of SSc patients with MI were asymptomatic. Regular monitoring of CTnI, NT-proBNP and echocardiography is helpful for the diagnosis of MI during the early stages. Its prognosis is poor.

Chronic rheumatologic disorders and cardiovascular disease risk in women

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major health threat to women worldwide. In addition to traditional CVD risk factors, autoimmune conditions are increasingly being recognized as contributors to adverse CVD consequences in women. Chronic systemic autoimmune and inflammatory disorders can trigger premature and accelerated atherosclerosis, microvascular dysfunction, and thrombosis. The presence of comorbid conditions, duration of the autoimmune condition, disease severity, and treatment of underlying inflammation are all factors that impact CVD risk and progression. Early identification and screening of CVD risk factors in those with underlying autoimmune conditions may attenuate CVD in this population. Treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, disease modifying agents and biologics may influence CVD risk factors and overall risk. Multi-disciplinary and team-based care, clinical trials, and collaborative team-science studies focusing on systemic autoimmune conditions will be beneficial to advance care for women.

Association between systemic sclerosis and left ventricle dysfunction: Findings from observational studies

Objectives

Cardiac involvement is common in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. In this study, we aimed to systematically evaluate the relationship between SSc and left ventricular dysfunction (LVD), especially the left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, by ultrasound and cardiac magnetic resonance data.

Methods

We searched The Cochrane Library, PubMed and Embase databases collected studies about comparing LVD parameters in SSc patients and controls from establishment to January 2022. Furthermore, we also performed a two-sample MR using summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) important LVD parameters, including left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricular mass (LVM) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Results

Our meta-analysis included 31 eligible studies with 1448 SSc patients. According to the results, SSc patients had lower peak of early diastolic flow velocity/peak of late diastolic flow velocity ratio (E/A ratio), E, trans-mitral early filling peak velocity (E'), and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) compared to controls. The E/E' ratio, A, left ventricular isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT), deceleration Time (DT) and left atrial (LA) diameter were higher in SSc patients in comparison with controls. Moreover, we observed that the SSc patients had lower LVEF than controls. And in MR analysis, we also found that SSc was causally correlated with LVEF (OR = 0.9966, 95% CI 0.9935-0.998, P = 0.0398). However, unfortunately, there was no significant correlation between SSC and LVM (OR = 1.0048, 95% CI 0.9919-1.0179, P = 0.4661) and LVEDV (LVEDV OR = 0.9976, 95%CI 0.9888-1.0066, P = 0.6019).

Conclusion

SSc patients had diastolic/systolic dysfunction. However, MR analysis cannot confirm the genetic relationship between SSc and LVDD because of insufficient data. More research is needed to confirm the causal relationship between the two.

Left ventricular dysfunction and arrhythmias in asymptomatic patients with systemic sclerosis

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS

Cardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis (SS) is frequently silent and a major cause of mortality in these patients. This work aims to study the prevalence and associations of left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) and arrhythmias in SS.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Prospective study of SS patients (n=36), excluding those with symptoms of (or) cardiac disease, pulmonary arterial hypertension or cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF). A clinical, analytical, electrocardiogram (EKG), Holter, and echocardiogram with global longitudinal strain (GLS) assessment were performed. Arrhythmias were classified into clinically significant arrhythmias (CSA) and non-significant. Twenty-eight percent had left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD), 22% LV systolic dysfunction (LVSD) according to the GLS, 11.1% both, and 16.7% cardiac dysautonomia. Fifty percent presented alterations by EKG (44% CSA), 55.6% by Holter (75% CSA) and 8.3% CSA by both. An association was found between the elevation of troponin T (TnTc) and CSA and between the elevation of both NT-proBNP and TnTc with LVDD.

CONCLUSIONS

We found a higher prevalence of LVSD than in the literature, detected by GLS and being 10 times higher than that detected by LVEF, which justifies the need to incorporate this technique in the routine evaluation of these patients. The association of TnTc and NT-proBNP with LVDD suggests that they can be used as minimally invasive biomarkers of this affectation. The absence of correlation between LVD and CSA indicates that the arrhythmias could be due, not only to a supposed structural alteration of the myocardium, but to an independent and early cardiac involvement, which should be actively investigated even in asymptomatic patients without CVRF.

The AP-1 transcription factor Fosl-2 drives cardiac fibrosis and arrhythmias under immunofibrotic conditions

Fibrotic changes in the myocardium and cardiac arrhythmias represent fatal complications in systemic sclerosis (SSc), however the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Mice overexpressing transcription factor Fosl-2 (Fosl-2^tg) represent animal model of SSc. Fosl-2^tg mice showed interstitial cardiac fibrosis, disorganized connexin-43/40 in intercalated discs and deregulated expression of genes controlling conduction system, and developed higher heart rate (HR), prolonged QT intervals, arrhythmias with prevalence of premature ventricular contractions, ventricular tachycardias, II-degree atrio-ventricular blocks and reduced HR variability. Following stimulation with isoproterenol Fosl-2^tg mice showed impaired HR response. In contrast to Fosl-2^tg, immunodeficient Rag2^-/-Fosl-2^tg mice were protected from enhanced myocardial fibrosis and ECG abnormalities. Transcriptomics analysis demonstrated that Fosl-2-overexpression was responsible for profibrotic signature of cardiac fibroblasts, whereas inflammatory component in Fosl-2^tg mice activated their fibrotic and arrhythmogenic phenotype. In human cardiac fibroblasts FOSL-2-overexpression enhanced myofibroblast signature under proinflammatory or profibrotic stimuli. These results demonstrate that under immunofibrotic conditions transcription factor Fosl-2 exaggerates myocardial fibrosis, arrhythmias and aberrant response to stress.

Macrophages as determinants and regulators of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis

SSc is a multiphase autoimmune disease with a well-known triad of clinical manifestations including vasculopathy, inflammation and fibrosis. Although a plethora of drugs has been suggested as potential candidates to halt SSc progression, nothing has proven clinically efficient. In SSc, both innate and adaptive immune systems are abnormally activated fuelling fibrosis of the skin and other vital organs. Macrophages have been implicated in the pathogenesis of SSc and are thought to be a major source of immune dysregulation. Due to their plasticity, macrophages can initiate and sustain chronic inflammation when classically activated while, simultaneously or parallelly, when alternatively activated they are also capable of secreting fibrotic factors. Here, we briefly explain the polarization process of macrophages. Subsequently, we link the activation of macrophages and monocytes to the molecular pathology of SSc, and illustrate the interplay between macrophages and fibroblasts. Finally, we present recent/near-future clinical trials and discuss novel targets related to macrophages/monocytes activation in SSc.

Cardiovascular Manifestations of Systemic Sclerosis: An Overview of Pathophysiology, Screening Modalities, and Treatment Options

Systemic sclerosis, previously known as scleroderma, is a heterogeneous, systemic disease that is defined by its 3 pathological hallmarks: the production of autoantibodies, small vessel vasculopathy, and fibroblast dysfunction, leading to an increased deposition of extracellular matrix. We conducted a review of the available literature that covers the cardiovascular manifestations of SSc: electrical conduction abnormalities, pulmonary hypertension, pericardial disease, and atherosclerosis. Within each major category, we will discuss the definition, diagnostics, and available treatment options. Increased mortality from cardiovascular complications necessitates early screening and management. Annual screening with noninvasive modalities is encouraged. The current management of each complication generally follows the management algorithms of patients regardless of SSc status and is dependent on the severity of the patient's clinical presentation.

The Role of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Rheumatic Heart Disease

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD), an acquired valvular disease, remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. This chronic illness starts from untreated streptococcal throat infection, resulting in acute rheumatic fever (ARF) in susceptible individuals. Repeated infections lead to a chronic phase characterized by the damage of heart valves. Inflammation has been found to play important role in the development of this disease. All the studies presented in this review clearly show the involvement of the inflammatory state in the progression of this disease. However, the exact role of cytokines in inflammation sites remains to be examined, since most studies have so far focused on peripheral blood. Such analysis would provide information on inflammatory mechanisms in situ.

Methotrexate-induced acute cardiotoxicity requiring veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support: a case report

BACKGROUND

Methotrexate is an antifolate antimetabolite that inhibits the activity of dihydrofolate reductase by acting as a false substrate, which leads to defects of DNA synthesis, specifically the inhibition of purine and pyrimidine synthesis. Thus, methotrexate is a powerful agent for treating autoimmune diseases and cancer. In general, methotrexate is thought to be cardioprotective and reports of methotrexate-induced cardiomyopathy are rare. We present a case of methotrexate-induced severe cardiotoxicity diagnosed by exclusion of all other potential causes.

CASE PRESENTATION

The patient was a 54-year-old Caucasian man presenting to an outside hospital with a chief complaint of abdominal pain and bloating who reported taking methotrexate up to 20 mg per week for systemic sclerosis. After a transthoracic echocardiogram found a left ventricular ejection fraction of 10% and coronary catheterization demonstrated no significant disease, he was transferred to our hospital for advanced heart failure therapies. His condition deteriorated, and he was eventually placed on veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Owing to a lack of an identifiable etiology of cardiac failure, toxicology consultation recommended 24 hours of intravenous leucovorin therapy to overcome any residual and potentially cardiotoxic methotrexate still in his system. Over the next 5 days, his cardiac function improved daily, such that on day 5 of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, he had a left ventricular ejection fraction of 40% and was able to be decannulated. Two days later, his ejection fraction improved to 60% and normal right ventricular function. Initially, his renal function improved while on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, but over the next week deteriorated such that he required intermittent hemodialysis until hospital discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

After a process of elimination, the most likely cause of this patient's acute decline and rapid recovery of bi-ventricular function was methotrexate toxicity. Leucovorin may have aided the reversal of methotrexate toxicity.

Ventricular and atrial function assessment with transthoracic echocardiography in patients with rheumatic inflammatory disease

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory rheumatic diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and systemic sclerosis (SSc), can cause cardiovascular complications in many cases. This study aimed to compare the ventricular and atrial functions of the heart between rheumatic patients and healthy controls using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE).

RESULTS

The study was performed between 64 patients with mentioned rheumatic diseases and 64 age- and sex-matched healthy controls who all underwent detailed history-taking and TTE. Echocardiographic parameters were measured and compared between the two groups. TTE showed significant differences in many echocardiographic parameters. Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular end-systolic diameter, right atrium area, inferior vena cava diameter, and systolic pulmonary artery pressure were significantly higher in patients compared to the controls (P < 0.001). Left ventricular ejection fraction and right ventricular end-diastolic diameter were not statistically different between the groups (P > 0.05). Right ventricular septal strain, right ventricular free wall strain, average longitudinal right ventricular strain, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, right ventricular systolic myocardial velocity, and right ventricular fractional area change were lower in inflammatory rheumatic patients (P < 0.001). The subgroup analysis showed the same results' trend for each disease and its own control group comparison.

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiac involvement in rheumatologic diseases, especially SLE, RA, and SSc, should always be taken into consideration as there may be silent changes affecting the overall prognosis of patients. Using TTE helps diagnose and make a treatment plan for cardiovascular complications in rheumatic disease patients.

Decreased Pulse Wave Velocity in a Systemic Sclerosis Population: Preliminary Results from a Cross-Sectional Study

Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by organ and tissue fibrosis in which the incidence of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events is increased, although the exact underlying mechanism remains unclear. Arterial stiffness is a marker of vascular damage that can predict cardiovascular events; therefore, this study aimed to assess the augmentation index (AIx) and pulse wave velocity (PWV), markers of stiffness, in a Systemic Sclerosis population and to detect potentially associated variables. Fourteen female Systemic Sclerosis patients and 14 age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled. Demographic, anthropometric, sero-hematological parameters and disease characteristics were collected for each participant. Arterial stiffness was evaluated using an applanation tonometry system. No differences were found between groups, except for BMI, fasting blood glucose, red blood cells count, hemoglobin, and treatment. Patients had increased augmentation index than the controls (p = 0.008). PWV was significantly decreased in SSc patients compared with the controls (p = 0.007). PWV was correlated with age (r = 0.462; p = 0.048) and BMI (r = 0.458; p = 0.050). Finally, patients with no specific auto-antibody pattern had greater AIx than those expressing anticentromere antibodies. Our study demonstrated that SSc patients had greater AIx, but lower PWV than the controls. In addition, few variables were correlated to arterial stiffness. Further studies are necessary to validate these findings and to establish medication's role in modifying cardiovascular risk.

Successful Treatment of Systemic Sclerosis-related Pericarditis with Mycophenolate Mofetil and Low-dose Prednisolone

We herein report a case of systemic sclerosis (SSc)-related pericarditis successfully treated with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and low-dose prednisolone (PSL). The patient was a 72-year-old woman with anti-centromere antibody. Her clinical manifestations were Raynaud phenomenon, bilateral pleural effusion, pericardial effusion and skin tightness. Based on the findings of exudative pericardial effusion with the absence of pulmonary arterial hypertension from the results of the cardiac catheter and pericardiocentesis, she was diagnosed with SSc-related pericarditis and treated with PSL10 mg and MMF 1 g per day, leading to the complete resolution of pericarditis. These findings suggested that MMF and low-dose PSL were effective for SSc-related pericarditis.

Oncostatin M: Risks and Benefits of a Novel Therapeutic Target for Atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death worldwide. It is predicted that approximately 23.6 million people will die from CVDs annually by 2030. Therefore, there is a great need for an effective therapeutic approach to combat this disease. The European Cardiovascular Target Discovery (CarTarDis) consortium identified Oncostatin M (OSM) as a potential therapeutic target for atherosclerosis. The benefits of modulating OSM - an interleukin (IL)-6 family cytokine - have since been studied for multiple indications. However, as decades of high attrition rates have stressed, the success of a drug target is determined by the fine balance between benefits and the risk of adverse events. Safety issues should therefore not be overlooked.

OBJECTIVE

In this review, a risk/benefit analysis is performed on OSM inhibition in the context of atherosclerosis treatment. First, OSM signaling characteristics and its role in atherosclerosis are described. Next, an overview of in vitro, in vivo, and clinical findings relating to both the benefits and risks of modulating OSM in major organ systems is provided. Based on OSM's biological function and expression profile as well as drug intervention studies, safety concerns of inhibiting this target have been identified, assessed, and ranked for the target population.

CONCLUSION

While OSM may be of therapeutic value in atherosclerosis, drug development should also focus on de-risking the herein identified major safety concerns: tissue remodeling, angiogenesis, bleeding, anemia, and NMDA- and glutamate-induced neurotoxicity. Close monitoring and/or exclusion of patients with various comorbidities may be required for optimal therapeutic benefit.

Heart Failure in Chronic Infectious and Inflammatory Conditions: Mechanistic Insights from Clinical Heterogeneity

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The balance between inflammation and its resolution plays an important and increasingly appreciated role in heart failure (HF) pathogenesis. In humans, different chronic inflammatory conditions and immune-inflammatory responses to infection can lead to diverse HF manifestations. Reviewing the phenotypic and mechanistic diversity of these HF presentations offers useful clinical and scientific insights.

RECENT FINDINGS

HF risk is increased in patients with chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disorders and relates to disease severity. Inflammatory condition-specific HF manifestations exist and underlying pathophysiologic causes may differ across conditions. Although inflammatory disease-specific presentations of HF differ, chronic excess in inflammation and auto-inflammation relative to resolution of this inflammation is a common underlying contributor to HF. Further studies are needed to phenotypically refine inflammatory condition-specific HF pathophysiologies and prognoses, as well as potential targets for intervention.