Ventricular function abnormalities in active rheumatoid arthritis: a Doppler echocardiographic study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate cardiac involvement in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Forty patients with active RA participated. All were submitted to standard Doppler echocardiography and myocardial performance index (MPI) grading.

Results: There were left and right ventricular diastolic function abnormalities in RA patients. Left ventricular MPI was also significantly higher than in controls ( P<0.05). A relationship was found between left ventricular early diastolic (E)/atrial (A) flow velocities (E/A ratio), isovolumic relaxation time (IRT), and disease duration ( r=-0.47 and P=0.002, r=0.618 and P=0.000, respectively).

Conclusion: Diastolic function was impaired in both ventricles in patients with active RA. There was a direct relationship between some of the parameters of left ventricular diastolic function and disease duration as well. These findings suggest a subclinical myocardial involvement in RA patients.