Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Pulse-Wave Velocity, Flow-Mediated Dilation, and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness to Assess Cardiovascular Risk in Population with Metabolic Syndrome
06:04

Pulse-Wave Velocity, Flow-Mediated Dilation, and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness to Assess Cardiovascular Risk in Population with Metabolic Syndrome

Published on: September 27, 2024

[Cardiovascular manifestations in inflammatory rheumatic diseases]

U Lange1, J Strunk

  • 1Kerckhoff-Klinik, Abteilung Rheumatologie, Sprudelhof 11, 61231, Bad Nauheim, Germany. U.Lange@kerckhoff-klinik.de

Zeitschrift Fur Rheumatologie
|March 10, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Inflammatory rheumatic diseases increase cardiovascular risks, including myocarditis and endocarditis. This review clarifies current knowledge on these manifestations for better diagnosis and patient care.

Area of Science:

  • Rheumatology
  • Cardiology
  • Internal Medicine

Context:

  • Cardiovascular manifestations, such as myocarditis and endocarditis, are increasingly recognized in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases.
  • The underlying causes for the elevated cardiovascular risk in these conditions remain largely unknown.
  • Historical records trace the understanding of these associations back to the late 19th century.

Purpose:

  • To consolidate and present current scientific knowledge on cardiovascular manifestations across various inflammatory rheumatic diseases.
  • To provide a comprehensive overview to aid clinicians in differential diagnosis and clinical decision-making.
  • To highlight the association between inflammatory rheumatic diseases and cardiovascular complications.

Summary:

  • This overview synthesizes existing data on the spectrum of cardiovascular involvement in inflammatory rheumatic diseases.
  • It details specific conditions like myocarditis and endocarditis, emphasizing their prevalence and clinical significance.
  • The review addresses the diagnostic challenges and current understanding of the pathophysiology linking rheumatic inflammation to cardiac issues.

Impact:

  • Enhances clinical understanding of cardiovascular risks in inflammatory rheumatic diseases.
  • Facilitates more accurate and timely differential diagnosis in daily medical practice.
  • Aims to improve patient outcomes by informing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for associated cardiovascular conditions.

Related Concept Videos

Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:22

Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...
Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction01:23

Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction

Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
Rheumatic Heart Disease III: Medical Management01:21

Rheumatic Heart Disease III: Medical Management

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) management can be divided into two main strategies: prevention and long-term management.Primary PreventionPrimary prevention focuses on timely diagnosis and management of group A streptococcal pharyngitis to prevent acute rheumatic fever. The most widely used antibiotic for treating this condition is intramuscular benzathine penicillin G.Acute Rheumatic Fever TreatmentThe primary treatment goal for a patient diagnosed with acute rheumatic fever is to suppress the...
Rheumatic Heart Disease IV: Nursing Management01:20

Rheumatic Heart Disease IV: Nursing Management

AssessmentA comprehensive assessment is essential in managing a patient with rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Begin with obtaining a detailed medical history, including recent streptococcal infections, a history of rheumatic fever, or previously diagnosed rheumatic heart disease. Assess the patient for symptoms such as fever, chest pain, widespread joint pain (arthralgia), tachycardia, pericardial friction rub, muffled heart sounds, heart murmurs, peripheral edema, subcutaneous nodules, and...
Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis01:25

Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis

Endocarditis can present various clinical features depending on the causative organism and the patient's underlying health conditions. Initially, the clinical features of infective endocarditis develop gradually, presenting with nonspecific symptoms that can be easily mistaken for other illnesses.General SymptomsEarly symptoms of infective endocarditis are fever, chills, weakness, malaise, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms reflect the systemic nature of the infection and the body's...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations01:20

Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses two major chronic disorders—ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease—each characterized by relapsing episodes of gastrointestinal inflammation. Although they share certain clinical features, their patterns of involvement and manifestations differ in ways that aid diagnosis and guide management.Ulcerative ColitisUlcerative colitis is limited to the colon and rectum and involves continuous inflammation of the mucosal layer. The disease course is marked...