Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2025
08:43
Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Imaging of Aortic Calcification and Inflammation
Published on: May 31, 2016
19.5K
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.
Summary
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.
