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Three-Dimensional Imaging of Aortic Tissues in Atherosclerosis
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The heart-joints connection: atherosclerosis and inflammation
Sergio Durán-Barragán1, Graciela S Alarcón
1The University of Alabama at Birmingham, 834 Faculty Office Tower, 510 20th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA. duranbarragan@hotmail.com
Expert Review of Clinical Immunology
|May 19, 2010
Summary
Inflammation drives atherosclerosis, a condition worsened in rheumatic diseases beyond traditional risks. Antirheumatic therapies may improve cardiovascular outcomes by reducing disease activity and risk factors.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Rheumatology
- Inflammation Biology
Background:
- Inflammation plays a key role in atherosclerosis pathogenesis.
- Endothelial dysfunction initiates atherosclerosis, leading to lipid oxidation, atheroma formation, rupture, and thrombosis.
- Patients with rheumatic diseases exhibit decreased survival due to accelerated atherosclerosis, not fully explained by traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the link between rheumatic diseases, inflammation, and accelerated atherosclerosis.
- To investigate the potential cardiovascular benefits of aggressive antirheumatic therapies.
Main Methods:
- Review of basic and clinical science advances.
- Analysis of survival data in patients with rheumatic diseases.
- Assessment of the impact of antirheumatic therapies on disease activity and cardiovascular risk factors.
Main Results:
- Rheumatic diseases are associated with accelerated atherosclerosis and reduced survival.
- Traditional cardiovascular risk factors do not fully account for this increased risk.
- Disease-related factors are implicated in the accelerated atherosclerosis observed.
Conclusions:
- Inflammation is a critical factor in atherosclerosis development and progression.
- Aggressive antirheumatic therapies may positively influence disease activity.
- These therapies hold potential for improving cardiovascular outcomes by mitigating associated risk factors.
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