Subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in rheumatoid arthritis: findings from the prospective Porto-RA cohort.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have an increased risk of cardiac dysfunction and heart failure (HF) due to a pro-inflammatory state. Detecting cardiac dysfunction in RA is challenging as these patients often present preserved ejection fraction (EF) but may have subclinical ventricular dysfunction. Echocardiographic strain analysis is a promising tool for early detection of subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD). This study assesses the prognostic role of strain analysis in RA.

Methods and results

Prospective study of 277 RA patients without known heart disease and preserved EF, categorized by left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS): normal GLS (≤ - 18%) vs. subclinical LVSD (> - 18%). Primary outcome was a composite of myocardial infa

SUBMITTER: Alexandre A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12408714 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature