Association Between Inflammatory Markers and Myocardial Fibrosis

Abstract

Inflammation promotes adverse ventricular remodeling. T1 mapping has been used to non-invasively assess interstitial myocardial fibrosis. We examined the association of baseline markers of systemic inflammation with interstitial myocardial fibrosis measured by extracellular volume fraction and native T1 mapping at 10 years’ follow-up in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. 772 participants had complete baseline data and underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. All analyses were stratified by sex. Multivariable linear regression models were constructed to assess the associations of baseline C-Reactive Protein, interleukin 6 and fibrinogen with native T1 time and extracellular volume fraction. Longer native T1 times and higher percentages of extracellular volume fraction represent increasing myocardial fibrosis. A one standard deviation increment of log-transformed interleukin 6 levels was associated with 0.4% higher extracellular volume fraction in males (β= 0.4; p= 0.05). C-Reactive Protein and fibrinogen were not associated to extracellular volume fraction. A one standard deviation increment in the log-transformed CRP levels was associated with 4.9 ms higher native T1 (β = 4.9; p= 0.03). In females, the inflammatory markers did not demonstrate association with native T1 nor extracellular volume fraction. Higher interleukin 6 and C-Reactive Protein levels are associated with increased interstitial myocardial fibrosis assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance in males. However, no inflammatory markers were associated to myocardial fibrosis in females.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance-determined left ventricular myocardium impairment is associated with C-reactive protein and ST2 in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

“…Inflammation is found to be involved in the development and perpetuation of AF and AF-related thrombosis [ 23 ]. It also participates in the process of cardiac remodeling that leads to interstitial myocardial fibrosis [ 25 ]. The inflammation biomarker of CRP is found to be elevated in AF patients without coexistent cardiovascular disease [ 26 ].…”

“…The relationships between CRP and myocardial strain indices are reported in many cardiovascular diseases [ 27 – 30 ], and systemic inflammation is found to be linked to the impairment of myocardial contractility [ 29 ]. CRP is also reported to be associated with LV T1 mapping indices in patients with systemic inflammation involving the heart or general population without known cardiovascular disease [ 25 , 31 ]. The present study found a significantly elevated CRP in the AF patients (Table 2 ), and significant associations between the CRP and all five CMR-measured parameters of LAV, three LV circumferential strain indices and LV native T1 (Table 4 ), showing that at the early stage of AF inflammation might play a role in impairing morphology and function of both LA and LV in the paroxysmal AF patients with no coexistent cardiovascular disease.…”

Prime Risk Factors to Act as Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of Myocardial Infarction

“…Myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as heart attack, is caused by the coronary artery lesions due to insufficient supply of oxygen (also known as ischemia); generally observed in old aged patients of more than 65 years [20]. Limited research studies have demonstrated an association of inflammatory markers with MI [21].…”

A comprehensive review of imaging findings in COVID-19 - status in early 2021

“…The link between myocardial inflammation and diffuse myocardial fibrosis is well-known [ 171 ]. Diffuse myocardial fibrosis may lead to left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure [ 172 ].…”