Chronic inflammatory diseases are associated with increases in cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and subclinical atherosclerosis as well as early-stage endothelial dysfunction screening using the FMD method (Flow Mediated Dilation). This phenomenon, referred to as accelerated pathological remodeling of arterial wall, could be attributed to traditional risk factors associated with atherosclerosis. Several new non-invasive techniques have been used to study arterial wall's structural and functional alterations.These techniques (based of Radio Frequency, RF) allow for an assessment of artery age through calculations of intima-media thickness (RF-QIMT), pulse wave rate (RF-QAS) and endothelial dysfunction degree (FMD). The inflammatory and autoimmune diseases should now be considered as new cardiovascular risk factors, result of the major consequences of oxidative stress and RAS (Renin Angiotensin System) imbalance associated with the deleterious effect of known risk factors that lead to the alteration of the arterial wall. Inflammation plays a key role in all stages of the formation of vascular lesions maintained and exacerbated by the risk factors. The consequence of chronic inflammation is endothelial dysfunction that sets in and we can define it as an integrated marker of the damage to arterial walls by classic risk factors. The atherosclerosis, which develops among these patients, is the main cause for cardiovascular morbi-mortality and uncontrolled chronic biological inflammation, which quickly favors endothelial dysfunction. These inflammatory and autoimmune diseases should now be considered as new cardiovascular risk factors.

Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of cardiovascular death due to the increasing prevalence of the disease and the impact of risk factors such as diabetes, obesity or smoking. Sudden cardiac death is the primary consequence of coronary artery disease in 50% of men and 64% of women. Currently the only available strategy to reduce mortality in the at-risk population is primary prevention; the target population must receive screening for atherosclerosis. The value of screening for subclinical atherosclerosis is still relevant, it has become standard clinical practice with the emergence of new noninvasive techniques (radio frequency [RF] measurement of intima-media thickness [RFQIMT] and arterial stiffness [RFQAS], and flow-mediated vasodilatation [FMV]), which have been used by our team since 2007 and are based on detection marker integrators which reflect the deleterious effect of risk factors on arterial remodeling before the onset of clinical events. These techniques allow the study of values according to age and diagnosis of the pathological value, the thickness of the intima media (RFQIMT), the speed of the pulse wave (RFQAS), and the degree of endothelial dysfunction (FMV). This screening is justified in asymptomatic patients with cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia, and tobacco smoking). Studies conducted by RF coupled with two-dimensional echo since 2007 have led to a more detailed analysis of the state of the arterial wall. The various examinations allow an assessment of the degree of subclinical atherosclerosis and its impact on arterial remodeling and endothelial function. The use of noninvasive imaging in screening and early detection of subclinical atherosclerosis is reliable and reproducible and allows us to assess the susceptibility of our patients with risk factors and ensures better monitoring of atherosclerosis, thus reducing the occurrence of cardiovascular events in the long term.

No abstract

No abstract