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Vascular calcification in Takayasu arteritis: relationship with metabolic syndrome, left ventricular mass index, and
Hazan Karadeniz1, Sevcihan Kesen2, Mert Burak Akhan2
1Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Turkey; Division of Rheumatology, Mehmet Akif Inan Training and Research Hospital, Sanlıurfa, Turkey.
Insights
Vascular calcification, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) are elevated in Takayasu arteritis (TA) patients. Metabolic syndrome (MS) exacerbates these atherosclerotic predictors in TA.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Rheumatology
- Radiology
Background:
- Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a large vessel vasculitis with significant cardiovascular implications.
- Vascular calcification and associated atherosclerotic markers are not well-characterized in TA patients.
- Understanding these markers can help identify patients at higher risk for cardiovascular events.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of vascular calcification in Takayasu arteritis (TA).
- To identify risk factors for vascular calcification in TA.
- To evaluate the relationship between vascular calcification, metabolic syndrome (MS), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in TA patients.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 49 TA patients and 31 healthy controls (HCs).
- Metabolic syndrome (MS) diagnosed using NCEP/ATP III criteria.
- Non-contrast computed tomography used to quantify calcification in coronary arteries, aorta, and branches; CIMT and LVMI also measured.
Main Results:
- TA patients exhibited significantly higher total calcification scores, CIMT, and LVMI compared to HCs.
- Vascular calcification, CIMT, and LVMI were elevated in TA patients regardless of MS status, but were higher in MS-positive patients.
- MS (+) TA patients showed significantly higher LVMI and CIMT than MS (-) TA patients.
Conclusions:
- Vascular calcification, CIMT, and LVMI are significantly elevated in all Takayasu arteritis patients.
- The presence of metabolic syndrome further increases CIMT and LVMI in TA patients.
- These findings highlight the increased atherosclerotic burden in TA, particularly when MS is present.
Objective:
The present study aims to determine the frequency of vascular calcification in Takayasu arteritis (TA) and the risk factors for it and to evaluate its relation with atherosclerotic predictors such as metabolic syndrome (MS), left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT).
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted in patients with TA; MS was defined according to the US National Cholesterol Education Program/Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP/ATP III) criteria. The study included 49 TA patients (22 with MS, 27 without MS) and 31 healthy controls (HCs). Non-contrast computed tomography measured calcification in coronary arteries, aorta, and branches.
Results:
Forty-seven patients (95.9%) were female and mean age was 33.45 ± 8.53 years. Total calcification score (mean ± SD; 5223.9 ± 18041.1 AU vs. 35.87 ± 72.70 AU (p = 0.05)), CIMT, and LVMI were found to be significantly higher in TA patients than HCs (p < 0.05). While there was no significant difference between the total calcification score of MS (+) TA patients and MS (-) TA patients, in both patient groups, the total calcification score was found to be significantly higher than HCs. MS (+) and MS (-) groups were found to have significantly higher CIMT and LVMI values than the control group, in addition, MS (+) patients were found to have significantly higher LVMI and CIMT values than MS (-) group (p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Vascular calcification, CIMT, and LVMI are elevated in all TA patients, with greater impact in the presence of MS.
