Heart involvement in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Our systematic review pointed out the strength and the grade of both pericardial and cardiac valvular involvement in RA patients. Our findings underscore the importance of an echocardiographic assessment at least in clinical research when RA patients are involved. Moreover, further research is needed to understand the possible relationship of our findings and the increased cardiovascular mortality.

Rheumatoid arthritis affects left ventricular mass: Systematic review and meta-analysis

“…To date, three systematic reviews and meta-analyses are available as cornerstones regarding cardiac alterations in RA patients [4,5,20,21]. The data of our previous meta-analysis highlights that RA patients without confounding comorbidities have first, a significant valvular, aortic root and pericardial involvement.…”

Echocardiography in the Assessment of Patients with Rheumatologic Diseases

“…Valvular involvement in RA may be more prevalent than previously thought [45]. Wisklowska et al found valvular abnormalities in 47 % using TTE, while Roldan et al reported a prevalence of 59 % using transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) [6,7].…”

“…1). A recent meta-analysis showed a 10-fold increase in valvular nodules in patients with RA compared with controls [45]. The nodules are single or multiple, oval lesions, 4 to 12 mm in size with regular borders, homogenous echocardiographic reflectance and no calcification.…”

“…In patients with RA and no CV risk factors, diastolic dysfunction predicts adverse CV events and, therefore, a closer follow-up is recommended [44]. Diastolic dysfunction is also recognized as a key contributor to heart failure in these patients [45].…”

Polimialgia reumática con derrame pleuropericárdico: una asociación infrecuente

“…En la literatura se describe la asociación de PMR y derrame pleuropericárdico en raras ocasiones 9-13 , como comentan los autores, en tanto que la asociación entre EORA -tanto seronegativa como seropositiva-con la presencia de derrame pleural o pericárdico está ampliamente descrita 14,15 .…”