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[The heart and ankylosing spondylitis]
Archivos Del Instituto De Cardiologia De Mexico
|January 1, 1985
Summary
Cardiovascular complications are common in Ankylosing Spondylitis patients. Non-invasive methods revealed that 35% of patients experienced cardiac issues, including hypertrophy and conduction disturbances.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Rheumatology
- Internal Medicine
Context:
- Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease primarily affecting the axial skeleton.
- Cardiovascular involvement in AS is increasingly recognized but often underdiagnosed.
- Non-invasive cardiological assessment is crucial for early detection of AS-related cardiac complications.
Purpose:
- To investigate the prevalence and types of cardiovascular complications in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis.
- To evaluate the utility of non-invasive cardiological methods in detecting cardiac abnormalities in AS patients.
- To compare the observed frequency of pericardial effusion in AS with existing literature.
Summary:
- A study of 40 Ankylosing Spondylitis patients using non-invasive methods found that 35% had cardiovascular complications.
- Common symptoms included chest pain, dyspnea on exertion, and palpitations.
- Electrocardiogram and Chest X-ray revealed left ventricular hypertrophy in 17.5% and 15% of patients, respectively. Conduction disturbances were noted in 17.5% of ECGs.
- Echocardiography identified aortic dilatation and mitral valve disease in 5% each. Pericardial effusion was found in 7.5% of patients, a higher frequency than previously reported.
Impact:
- Highlights the significant prevalence of cardiovascular complications in Ankylosing Spondylitis.
- Emphasizes the importance of routine non-invasive cardiac screening in AS patients.
- Suggests a potentially higher incidence of pericardial effusion in AS than previously understood, warranting further investigation.