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An Immunohistopathologic Study to Profile the Folate Receptor Beta Macrophage and Vascular Immune Microenvironment in Giant Cell Arteritis
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Pericardial effusion in giant cell arteritis is associated with increased inflammatory markers: a retrospective

Quentin Gomes de Pinho1, Aurélie Daumas2, Audrey Benyamine3

  • 1Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille (APHM), Hôpital Nord, Service de Médecine Interne, Aix-Marseille Université (AMU), Marseille, France. quentin.gomes-de-pinho@ap-hm.fr.

Rheumatology International
|May 7, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) can cause pericardial effusion in over 9% of patients over 50. This cardiac involvement is benign and associated with weight loss and specific blood markers, aiding GCA diagnosis.

Area of Science:

  • Rheumatology
  • Cardiology
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a common vasculitis in individuals over 50.
  • Cardiac involvement, particularly pericarditis, is infrequently reported in GCA.
  • Understanding pericardial involvement in GCA is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the characteristics and prognosis of GCA patients with pericardial involvement at diagnosis.
  • To determine the prevalence of pericardial effusion in GCA patients.
  • To compare clinical and biological features of GCA patients with and without pericardial effusion.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective chart review of 250 GCA patients diagnosed between 2000 and 2020.
  • Identification of patients with pericardial effusion via CT-scan at GCA diagnosis.
  • Comparison of demographic, clinicobiological, histological, imaging, treatment, and outcome data between groups.

Main Results:

  • Pericardial effusion was present in 9.2% of GCA patients.
  • Patients with pericardial effusion showed higher frequencies of weight loss, lower hemoglobin, and higher platelet levels.
  • Temporal artery biopsy positivity was more common in patients with pericardial effusion; no significant differences in treatment, relapses, or mortality were observed.

Conclusions:

  • Giant cell arteritis should be considered in older adults presenting with unexplained pericardial effusion or symptomatic pericarditis, especially with elevated inflammatory markers.
  • Pericardial involvement in GCA appears to be a benign manifestation.
  • Prompt diagnosis of GCA can be guided by constitutional symptoms, cranial symptoms, and signs of polymyalgia rheumatica.
Abstract

Keywords:
Giant cell arteritisHorton’s diseasePericardial effusionPericarditis

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