Cardiovascular lesions in giant cell arteritis

Marta Dzhus1,2, Halyna Mostbauer1

  • 1O. Bohomolets National Medical University, Kyiv, Ukraine.

Reumatologia
|January 23, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) patients face higher risks of serious cardiovascular events like heart attack and stroke. Early diagnosis and monitoring are crucial, especially within the first year after GCA diagnosis.

Area of Science:

  • Rheumatology
  • Cardiology
  • Vascular Medicine

Background:

  • Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a large-vessel systemic vasculitis.
  • Cardiovascular complications in GCA significantly increase morbidity and mortality.
  • Understanding these complications is vital for patient prognosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the epidemiology, clinical presentation, etiopathology, and cardiovascular risks associated with GCA.
  • To synthesize current knowledge on cardiovascular complications in patients diagnosed with GCA.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive literature review was conducted from 2002 to 2021.
  • Searches were performed in PubMed and Medline using keywords related to GCA and cardiovascular diseases.
  • English-language articles were included in the analysis.

Main Results:

  • Patients with GCA exhibit an elevated risk of aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular events, and peripheral artery disease.
  • Cardiovascular complications are associated with a worse prognosis in GCA.
  • The highest risk for cardiovascular complications occurs within the first year post-GCA diagnosis.

Conclusions:

  • GCA patients have an increased susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases, though research findings can be conflicting.
  • There is a need for improved understanding and treatment strategies for cardiovascular complications in GCA.
  • Vigilant monitoring for potentially fatal cardiovascular outcomes is mandatory for GCA patients.
Abstract

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