Evaluation of the Great Artery Mechanics with CarotidFemoral (Aortic) Pulse Wave Propagation Time in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common chronic, systemic, rheumatic, autoimmune disease in adults, which has unknown etiology and targets primarily synovial tissue. Those patients have increased cardiovascular mortality based on inflammation and atherosclerosis. In our study, we evaluated great artery mechanics in newly diagnosed RA patients with inactive disease. Great artery mechanics, referred as arterial distensibility, elasticity, and compliance can be evaluated by pulse wave propagation time and pulse wave velocity.

Methods: Our study included newly diagnosed and in inactive stage 25 RA patients ( mean age: 39.4±9.8 years, 21–63 years, 19 female, 6 male) and 29 healthy subjects (mean age: 36.9±9.9 years, 18–59 years, 13 female, 16 male). Aortic pulse wave propagation time and pulse wave velocitiy were determined using an automatic device, the Complior Colson (France), which allowed online recording and automatic calculation.

Results: Height, waist circumference, and waist/hip ratio values were significantly higher in healthy objects. (p=0.006, p=0.030, p=0.004, respectively) pulse wave propagation time and pulse wave velocity were significantly lower and higher, respectively, in RA patients compared to healthy subjects (p=0.000, p=0.041, respectively).

Conclusion: RA patients have decreased pulse wave propagation time and higher pulse wave velocity.

Cite This Article: Şahin A, Oflar E, Opan S, Çağlar İM. Evaluation of the Great Artery Mechanics with Carotid-Femoral (Aortic) Pulse Wave Propagation Time in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Koşuyolu Heart J 2024;27(2):76–81