Arrhythmias in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Call for a Multidisciplinary Team

Rheumatoid arthritis is the most prevalent systemic inflammatory disease, mainly affecting the synovial tissue of small and large joints, also associated with significant extra-articular manifestations. Throughout the progression of the disease, cardiac structures may be affected, including the conducting system, myocardium, endocardium, coronary arteries, and valves, potentially resulting in a higher incidence of cardiac arrhythmias.

We performed a narrative review of the most recent studies that highlight the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of arrhythmias occurring in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Furthermore, we examined the impact of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)-including conventional synthetic (csDMARDs), biologic (bDMARDs), and targeted synthetic agents (tsDMARDs)-on cardiac electrophysiology.

Cardiac immune cells may influence arrhythmogenesis through non-canonical and inflammatory mechanisms by modifying myocardial tissue architecture or by interacting with cardiomyocytes, potentially altering their electrical function.

This review emphasizes the essential role of a multidisciplinary approach integrating rheumatology and cardiology expertise in the screening and management of arrhythmias in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.