Scientists at Paris Descartes University, Department of Cardiology publish research in arthritis
2007 NOV 19 -- Data detailed in 'Myocardial dysfunction in rheumatoid arthritis: a controlled tissue-Doppler echocardiography study' have been presented. In this recent article published in the Journal of Rheumatology, scientists in Paris, France conducted a study "To determine the sensitivity and accuracy of tissue-Doppler echocardiography (TDE) to assess myocardial contractility. Heart failure is one of the determinants of the excess in mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) Consecutive RA patients with normal clinical cardiac examination were prospectively included and compared to 27 controls." "All underwent conventional echocardiography, and systolic and diastolic strain rate (SR) were determined by TDE Twenty-seven patients with RA were included (mean age 50 ±10 yrs, disease duration 8 ±6 yrs). Mean disease activity score was 4.3 ±1.6, C-reactive protein 23 ±32 mg/l. When compared to controls (50 ±9 yrs), patients with RA had increased left ventricular mass (99 ±24 vs 80 ±25 g/m2, p=0.009), and there was a trend for left atrial enlargement (31 ±3 vs 29 ±6 mm, p=0.06). Fractional shortening and systolic SR did not differ between groups. Diastolic function, as estimated by the E/A Doppler velocity ratio was similar in both groups (p=0.18). However, diastolic SR was strikingly reduced in patients with RA versus controls (3.7 ±1.3 vs 5.5 ±1.1s-1, p<0.001) with 18/27 patients with RA having marked reduced diastolic SR (SR <4s-1)," wrote C. Meune and colleagues, Paris Descartes University, Department of Cardiology. The researchers concluded: "None of the RA characteristics was associated with significant differences in TDE measurements TDE identifies impaired diastolic function in patients with RA that may not be detected by conventional measurements." Meune and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Rheumatology (Myocardial dysfunction in rheumatoid arthritis: a controlled tissue-Doppler echocardiography study. Journal of Rheumatology, 2007;34(10):2005-9). Additional information can be obtained by contacting C. Meune, Cochin Hospital, Dept. of Cardiology, Paris Descartes University, Medical School, Paris, France. The publisher of the Journal of Rheumatology can be contacted at: J Rheumatol Publ Co., 920 Yonge St., Suite 115, Toronto, Ontario M4W 3C7, Canada. Keywords: France, Paris, Arthritis, Echocardiography, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Rheumatology. This article was prepared by Pain & Central Nervous System Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Pain & Central Nervous System Week via NewsRx.com.
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