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Coronary spastic angina in patients with connective tissue disease

Hirofumi Soejima1, Shinzo Miyamoto, Sunao Kojima

  • 1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Japan. yuuki@gpo.kumamoto-u.ac.jp

Circulation Journal : Official Journal of the Japanese Circulation Society
|April 2, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Connective tissue disease increases the risk of coronary spastic angina. Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels indicate inflammation associated with ischemic heart disease in these patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Rheumatology
  • Inflammation Research

Background:

  • Connective tissue disease (CTD) is an inflammatory condition linked to increased risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD).
  • C-reactive protein (CRP) is a key inflammatory marker.
  • The association between CTD and specific IHD manifestations like coronary spastic angina (CSA) requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between connective tissue disease and coronary spastic angina.
  • To determine if inflammatory markers are associated with ischemic heart disease in patients with CTD.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 73 patients with CTD admitted between April 2000 and March 2003.
  • Diagnosis of ischemic heart disease subtypes including acute coronary syndrome, coronary spastic angina, and stable exertional angina.
  • Measurement of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.

Main Results:

  • Of 73 CTD patients, 38 had IHD. Coronary spastic angina was diagnosed in 19 (50%) of these IHD patients.
  • The frequency of CSA was higher in CTD patients compared to non-CTD patients with IHD (50% vs 38.7%).
  • Elevated CRP levels were observed in patients with acute coronary syndrome and coronary spastic angina compared to non-ischemic controls.

Conclusions:

  • Coronary spastic angina is a common complication in patients with connective tissue disease.
  • Inflammation, indicated by CRP, is associated with coronary spastic angina and unstable angina in CTD patients.
Abstract

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