Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Echocardiographic Findings in a Predominantly Black Population With Rheumatoid...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Rheumatology
• Echocardiography

Background:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is linked to cardiovascular disease.
• Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is prevalent in White RA cohorts.
• The HF profile in Black RA patients remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the predominant type of heart failure (HF) in Black patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
• To identify cardiovascular risk factors associated with HF in this demographic.
• To investigate cardiac structural changes in RA patients with HF.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 64 Black RA patients with HF, compared to RA patients without HF.
• Review of echocardiographic parameters: ejection fraction, wall motion, LV mass, and wall thickness.
• Statistical analysis to determine odds ratios for HF associated with hypertension and smoking.

Main Results:

• Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) was the most common HF type (62.3%) in Black RA patients.
• Hypertension (HTN) was the strongest predictor of HF (OR 4.7), followed by smoking (OR 3.5).
• Diastolic dysfunction (37%) and wall motion abnormalities (43.1%) were frequent; LV eccentric remodeling was noted.

Conclusions:

• HFpEF is the primary HF manifestation in Black RA patients.
• Hypertension is a critical risk factor for HF development in this population.
• Observed eccentric hypertrophic remodeling suggests a poorer cardiovascular prognosis, warranting further investigation.