Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Assessment of Cardiac Morphological and Functional Changes in Mouse Model of Transverse Aortic Constriction by Echocardiographic Imaging
09:05

Assessment of Cardiac Morphological and Functional Changes in Mouse Model of Transverse Aortic Constriction by Echocardiographic Imaging

Published on: June 21, 2016

Cardiac involvement in Crohn's disease: echocardiographic study

Gianpaolo Bragagni1, Raffaele Brogna, Paola Franceschetti

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, SS Annunziata Hospital, Cento (Ferrara), Italy.

Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
|January 5, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Crohn's Disease (CD) frequently causes subclinical cardiac involvement, including morphologic alterations and pericardial effusion, which correlates with disease activity. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha may play a role in these cardiac changes.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Cardiology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Crohn's Disease (CD) often presents with extra-intestinal manifestations, though cardiac involvement is typically considered rare.
  • This study investigates the prevalence and characteristics of cardiac involvement in CD patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess cardiac involvement in Crohn's Disease patients.
  • To explore correlations between cardiac findings and disease activity, duration, localization, and therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Transthoracic echocardiogram with Doppler study was performed on 68 CD patients and 60 healthy controls.
  • Cardiac morphology, valve function, and ejection fraction were evaluated.

Main Results:

  • Significantly higher rates of morphologic alterations (69.11% vs 20.0%), mitral valve prolapse (29.4% vs 6.6%), and pericardial effusion (19.1% vs 1.6%) were observed in CD patients compared to controls.
  • Pericardial effusion and decreased left ventricle ejection fraction were correlated with CD activity.
  • No correlation was found between cardiac findings and age, sex, disease duration, therapy, or localization.

Conclusions:

  • Crohn's Disease frequently leads to cardiac involvement, often remaining subclinical.
  • Alterations in the cytokine network, such as elevated tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and increased oxidative stress may contribute to cardiac manifestations in CD.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System I:Echocardiography01:17

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System I:Echocardiography

Cardiac imaging studies encompass a wide range of noninvasive and minimally invasive techniques designed to visualize the heart's structure and function in detail. One such technique is echocardiography, which uses high-frequency ultrasound waves to produce detailed images of the heart, known as echocardiograms.
Indications: Echocardiography is utilized to diagnose heart failure, valve disorders, and myocardial infarction. It also assesses cardiac structures' size, shape, and motion, evaluates...
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...
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray01:20

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray

The most common cardiovascular diagnostic test is an X-ray. It produces images of the heart, blood vessels, and adjacent structures.
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...
Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies01:30

Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies

Diagnosing acute coronary syndrome or ACS begins with a thorough patient history. Notable symptoms include central, crushing chest pain radiating to the left arm, neck, jaw, or back, along with shortness of breath, sweating (diaphoresis), nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and palpitations.It is crucial to note any history of cardiac illnesses and assess risk factors, including age, gender, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and a sedentary lifestyle.During physical examination, vital...
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System II:Types of Echocardiography01:20

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System II:Types of Echocardiography

Echocardiography plays a role in assessing cardiac health and detecting heart conditions, with various types providing critical insights for diagnosis and treatment.
Types of Echocardiography
Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE)
TTE is the most common type of echocardiogram which involves placing a transducer on the patient's chest, emitting sound waves to create heart images. TTE is invaluable for evaluating the heart's size, structure, and motion, making it particularly useful for diagnosing...
Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:22

Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Aortic valve regurgitation (AR) occurs when the aortic valve fails to close properly, allowing blood to flow backward from the aorta into the left ventricle. This backflow can result in two distinct clinical presentations: acute and chronic AR, each characterized by its own set of symptoms and physical findings.Acute Aortic RegurgitationAcute AR presents with a sudden onset of severe symptoms. Patients typically experience profound dyspnea (shortness of breath), chest pain, and signs of left...