Cardiovascular risk in myositis patients compared with the general population.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate cardiovascular (CV) risk in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) compared with healthy controls (HC) and to assess its association with disease-specific features. METHODS: Ninety IIM patients and 180 age-/sex-matched HC were included. Subjects with a history of CV disease (angina pectoris, myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular/peripheral arterial vascular events) were excluded. All participants were prospectively recruited and underwent examinations of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), pulse wave velocity (PWV), ankle-brachial index (ABI), and body composition. The risk of fatal CV events was evaluated by the Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) and its modifications. RESULTS: Compared with HC, IIM patients had a significantly higher prevalence of traditional CV risk factors, carotid artery disease (CARD), abnormal ABI and PWV. After propensity score matching (using traditional CV risk factors), the prevalence of CARD and pathological PWV remained significantly higher in IIM than HC. No significant difference in SCORE was observed. The most unfavourable CV risk profile was observed in patients with necrotizing myopathy, especially in statin-induced anti-HMGCR+ patients. The calculated CV risk scores by SCORE, SCORE2 and SCORE multiplied by the coefficient 1.5 (mSCORE) were reclassified according to CIMT and the presence of carotid plaques. SCORE was demonstrated to be most inaccurate in predicting CV risk in IIM. Age, disease activity, lipid profile, body composition parameters and blood pressure were the most significant predictors of CV risk in IIM patients. CONCLUSION: Significantly higher prevalence of traditional risk factors and subclinical atherosclerosis was observed in IIM patients compared with HC.

Arteriovenous Hemodialysis Access Stenosis Diagnosed by Duplex Doppler Ultrasonography: A Review.

Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is currently the hemodialysis access with the longest life expectations for the patients. However, even the AVF is at risk for many complications, especially the development of stenosis. The latter can not only lead to inadequate hemodialysis but also lead to AVF thrombosis. Duplex Doppler ultrasonography is a very precise method, in the hands of experienced professionals, for the diagnosis of AVF complications. In this review, we summarize the ultrasound diagnostic criteria of significant stenoses and their indication for procedural therapy.

Cardiovascular Risk in Myositis Patients Compared to the General Population: Preliminary Data From a Single-Center Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are associated with systemic inflammation, limited mobility, and glucocorticoid therapy, all of which can lead to metabolism disturbances, atherogenesis, and increased cardiovascular (CV) risk. The aim of this study was to assess the CV risk in IIM patients and healthy controls (HC), and its association with disease-specific features. Methods: Thirty nine patients with IIM (32 females; mean age 56; mean disease duration 4.8 years; dermatomyositis: n = 16, polymyositis: n = 7, immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy: n = 8, anti-synthetase syndrome: n = 8) and 39 age-/sex-matched HC (32 females, mean age 56) without rheumatic diseases were included. In both groups, subjects with a history of CV disease (angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular, and peripheral arterial vascular events) were excluded. Muscle involvement, disease activity, and tissue damage were evaluated (Manual Muscle Test-8, Myositis Intention to Treat Activity Index, Myositis Damage Index). Comorbidities and current treatment were recorded. All participants underwent examinations of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), pulse wave velocity (PWV), ankle-brachial index (ABI), and body composition (by densitometry and bioelectric impedance). The risk of fatal CV events was evaluated by the Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE, charts for the European population) and its modifications. Results: Compared to HC, there was no significant difference in IIM patients regarding blood pressure, ABI, PWV, CIMT, and the risk of fatal CV events by SCORE or SCORE2, or subclinical atherosclerosis (CIMT, carotid plaques, ABI, and PWV). The calculated CV risk scores by SCORE, SCORE2, and SCORE multiplied by the coefficient 1.5 (mSCORE) were reclassified according to the results of carotid plaque presence and CIMT; however, none of them was demonstrated to be significantly more accurate. Other significant predictors of CV risk in IIM patients included age, disease duration and activity, systemic inflammation, lipid profile, lean body mass, and blood pressure. Conclusions: No significant differences in CV risk factors between our IIM patients and HC were observed. However, in IIM, CV risk was associated with age, disease duration, duration of glucocorticoid therapy, lipid profile, and body composition. None of the currently available scoring tools (SCORE, SCORE2, mSCORE) used in this study seems more accurate in estimating CV risk in IIM.

Factors influencing dialysis arteriovenous graft survival.

PURPOSE: Dysfunction and loss of patency of dialysis arteriovenous grafts (AVGs) are serious causes of morbidity in patients on dialysis. Various risk factors associated with shorter AVG patency have been blamed, but the results of the studies were controversial. The aim of this study was to assess if associated diseases, biochemical markers and other parameters associated with atherosclerosis influence patency of AVGs in a large vascular access centre. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study that included patients with AVGs patent for at least 3 weeks after creation. We included variables associated with atherosclerosis into the analysis (coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic heart failure, arterial hypertension, smoking history and cholesterol and triglyceride levels) and characteristics of the graft (shape, feeding artery).The data was assessed using log-rank (Cox-Mantel) test. The differences were shown using Kaplan-Meier graphs. The observation period was limited to 1000 days after access creation. RESULTS: Overall, 338 patients were included in the study. Significantly higher risk of access failure was associated with presence of coronary artery disease (p = 0.0035). Higher serum cholesterol levels were associated with longer survival of the graft in 1000 days of surveillance (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Coronary artery disease negatively influences the cumulative patency of vascular access. Higher serum cholesterol levels are associated with lower AVG failure risk over a 1000-day period, which probably corresponds to the worse disease status of the patients with lower cholesterol values.

Arteriovenous grafts: early ultrasonography tells their fortune.

BACKGROUND: The patency of arteriovenous grafts (AVG) for hemodialysis is mostly limited by growing stenoses that lead to decreasing of blood flow, thromboses and finally to access failure. The aim of this study was to find out if detection of any pathology by duplex Doppler ultrasonography (DDU) early after creation of AVG could identify those with lower survival. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled AVG examined by DDU in our center within 40 days after their creation during the last 10 years. The findings were divided into 4 subgroups: (1a) normal finding, (1b) DDU risk factor (low flow volume, medial calcinosis of the feeding artery, presence of intimal hyperplasia in the venous anastomosis), (2a) non-significant or (2b) significant stenosis. The primary outcome measure was the cumulative survival of people with AVGs, and the secondary was the primary (unassisted) survival. All patients underwent DDU surveillance every 3 months with pre-emptive treatment of significant stenoses. RESULTS: Overall, 340 cases were found; the median follow-up was 565 days. Normal DDU finding had 60% cases, DDU risk factor 18% cases, non-significant stenosis 13% cases and significant stenosis 9% cases. Occurrence of early significant stenosis was associated with high risk of access loss (hazards ratio (HR) 14.73; 95% CI 5.10-42.58; p < 0.0001). Similarly, the presence of a DDU risk factor and of a non-significant stenosis were related to significantly shorter access lifespan (HR 2.86; 95% CI 1.10-7.40; p = 0.03 and HR 2.83; 95% CI 1.12-7.17; p = 0.03, respectively). CONCLUSION: DDU examination of AVG early after their creation can identify those at higher risk and may contribute to individualize the surveillance strategy.

Short-term outcomes of borderline stenoses in vascular accesses with PTFE grafts.

BACKGROUND: There are controversial data about vascular access stenosis surveillance by ultrasonography. The definition of stenosis significance varies among centres. We performed a retrospective study to describe short-term outcomes of borderline asymptomatic stenoses defined by precise criteria and to determine possible risk factors of stenosis progression. METHODS: We studied the outcome of borderline stenoses in accesses with PTFE grafts. Stenosis was considered significant if there was a combination of >50% lumen reduction and peak systolic ratio >2, together with at least one of the following additional criteria: (1) residual diameter <2.0 mm and (2) flow reduction of >25% or actual flow volume <600 ml/min. Stenosis was considered borderline in the absence of the additional criteria. RESULTS: Of the 102 borderline stenoses, after 11 +/- 6 weeks, 55 remained non-progressive, in 38 the degree of the stenosis progressed, in 8 a percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) was performed due to clinical indication and only 1 thrombosed. A significant relative risk of developing significant stenosis was found in grafts with prior PTA [RR = 1.91 (95% CI: 1.27, 2.88), P = 0.002] and in female gender [RR = 2.29, (95% CI: 1.29, 4.06), P = 0.025]. CONCLUSIONS: Delaying PTA of borderline stenoses is safe using this watch-and-wait strategy and stenoses remain stable over at least short time, but with higher risk of progression especially after prior PTA. We believe that the definition of precise criteria of stenosis significance is necessary for the benefit of ultrasound surveillance.

Creation of dialysis vascular access with normal flow increases brain natriuretic peptide levels.

BACKGROUND: Chronic heart failure is very common in hemodialyzed patients due to several factors such as intermittent volume overload, anemia, and hypertension. Dialysis access flow is usually considered to have a minor effect. We hypothesized that creation of dialysis access with "normal" flow would lead to elevation of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), which is a sensitive marker of heart failure. METHODS: We included subjects with a newly created, well-functioning vascular access and normal left ventricular ejection fraction. They were examined before access creation (baseline), then again 6 weeks and 6 months after the surgery. Only subjects with access flow (Qa) < 1500 ml/min were included. Changes of BNP levels and their relation to access flow were studied. RESULTS: We examined 35 subjects aged 60.6 +/- 13.5 years. Qa was 789 +/- 361 and 823 +/- 313 ml/min at 6 weeks and 6 months after the surgery, respectively. Within 6 weeks after access creation, BNP rose from 217 (294) to 267 (550) ng/l (median (quartile range)) with P = 0.003. Qa was significantly related to BNP levels 6 weeks after access creation (r = 0.37, P = 0.036). Six months after access creation, there was only a trend of BNP decrease (235 (308) ng/l, P = 0.44). Creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and hemoglobin levels as well as patients' weight did not change significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Creation of dialysis access with "normal" flow volume leads to significant increase of BNP, which is related to the value of access flow. The increase of BNP probably mirrors worsening of clinically silent heart failure.