Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease (subclinical + cardiovascular_disease)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Left ventricular structure and function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, as assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging

ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 4 2010
Jon T. Giles
Objective Heart failure is a major contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but little is known about myocardial structure and function in this population. This study was undertaken to assess the factors associated with progression to heart failure in patients with RA. Methods With the use of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, measures of myocardial structure and function were assessed in men and women with RA enrolled in the Evaluation of Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease and Predictors of Events in Rheumatoid Arthritis study, a cohort study of subclinical cardiovascular disease in patients with RA, in comparison with non-RA control subjects from a cohort enrolled in the Baltimore Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. Results Measures of myocardial structure and function were compared between 75 patients with RA and 225 frequency-matched controls. After adjustment for confounders, the mean left ventricular mass was found to be 26 gm lower in patients with RA compared with controls (P < 0.001), an 18% difference. In addition, the mean left ventricular ejection fraction, cardiac output, and stroke volume were modestly lower in the RA group compared with controls. The mean left ventricular end systolic and end diastolic volumes did not differ between the groups. In patients with RA, higher levels of anti,cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies and current use of biologic agents, but not other measures of disease activity or severity, were associated with significantly lower adjusted mean values for the left ventricular mass, end diastolic volume, and stroke volume, but not with ejection fraction. The combined associations of anti-CCP antibody level and biologic agent use with myocardial measures were additive, without evidence of interaction. Conclusion These findings suggest that the progression to heart failure in RA may occur through reduced myocardial mass rather than hypertrophy. Both modifiable and nonmodifiable factors may contribute to lower levels of left ventricular mass and volume. [source]


Association analysis of genes in the renin-angiotensin system with subclinical cardiovascular disease in families with Type 2 diabetes mellitus: The Diabetes Heart Study

DIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 3 2006
K. P. Burdon
Abstract Aims Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major complication of Type 2 diabetes mellitus. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and nitric oxide production are both important regulators of vascular function and blood pressure. Genes encoding proteins involved in these pathways are candidates for a contribution to CVD in diabetic patients. We have investigated variants of the angiotensinogen (AGT), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) genes for association with subclinical measures of CVD in families with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods Atherosclerosis was measured by carotid intima-media thickness and calcification of the carotid and coronary arteries in 620 European Americans and 117 African Americans in the Diabetes Heart Study. Because of the role of these systems in blood pressure regulation, blood pressure was also investigated. Results Compelling evidence of association was not detected with any of the SNPs with any outcome measures after adjustments for covariates despite sufficient power to detect relatively small differences in traits for specific genotype combinations. Conclusions Genetic variation of the RAS and NOS3 genes do not appear to strongly influence subclinical cardiovascular disease or blood pressure in this diabetic population. [source]


Left ventricular structure and function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, as assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging

ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 4 2010
Jon T. Giles
Objective Heart failure is a major contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but little is known about myocardial structure and function in this population. This study was undertaken to assess the factors associated with progression to heart failure in patients with RA. Methods With the use of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, measures of myocardial structure and function were assessed in men and women with RA enrolled in the Evaluation of Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease and Predictors of Events in Rheumatoid Arthritis study, a cohort study of subclinical cardiovascular disease in patients with RA, in comparison with non-RA control subjects from a cohort enrolled in the Baltimore Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. Results Measures of myocardial structure and function were compared between 75 patients with RA and 225 frequency-matched controls. After adjustment for confounders, the mean left ventricular mass was found to be 26 gm lower in patients with RA compared with controls (P < 0.001), an 18% difference. In addition, the mean left ventricular ejection fraction, cardiac output, and stroke volume were modestly lower in the RA group compared with controls. The mean left ventricular end systolic and end diastolic volumes did not differ between the groups. In patients with RA, higher levels of anti,cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies and current use of biologic agents, but not other measures of disease activity or severity, were associated with significantly lower adjusted mean values for the left ventricular mass, end diastolic volume, and stroke volume, but not with ejection fraction. The combined associations of anti-CCP antibody level and biologic agent use with myocardial measures were additive, without evidence of interaction. Conclusion These findings suggest that the progression to heart failure in RA may occur through reduced myocardial mass rather than hypertrophy. Both modifiable and nonmodifiable factors may contribute to lower levels of left ventricular mass and volume. [source]