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10:03
Evaluation of Right Ventricular Function in Experimental Models of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Published on: June 27, 2025
935
SAPHIRE: Stress and Pulmonary Hypertension in Rheumatoid Evaluation-A Prevalence Study.
G E M Reeves1, N Collins2, P Hayes2
1John Hunter Hospital, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
International Journal of Rheumatology
|May 21, 2016
Summary
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients show a 14% prevalence of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). This suggests RA may be a risk factor for PAH, warranting screening with noninvasive tools like exercise echocardiography.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Rheumatology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) is characterized by elevated pulmonary artery pressure (PAP).
- PAH is linked to systemic autoimmune conditions, suggesting an autoimmune role in its pathogenesis.
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease known for inflammatory polyarthropathy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of PAH in an unselected population of individuals with RA.
- To determine if RA is a risk factor for developing PAH.
Main Methods:
- Exercise echocardiography (EchoCG) was used to assess pulmonary artery pressure (PAP).
- A cohort of unselected RA patients was evaluated.
Main Results:
- A significant prevalence of EchoCG-derived elevation of PAP (EDEPP) was found in 14% of the RA population.
- This finding suggests a potential link between RA and PAH.
Conclusions:
- Rheumatoid arthritis may be an independent risk factor for pulmonary artery hypertension.
- PAH screening using noninvasive methods like EchoCG may be beneficial for RA patients.
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