Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection Case Series: Clinical Presentation, Angiographic Imaging, Management, and Outcomes.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare but more frequently recognized cause of acute coronary syndrome. Due to the low incidence rate of this condition, there are no consensus guidelines to treat this clinical entity. Most of the information on the clinical presentation and management of SCAD originates from case reports and series; however, there has not been yet a prospective randomized study to guide treatment of SCAD. It is mostly seen in women and particularly those of younger ages. Most cases have an underlying etiology although the underlying pathophysiology is not fully understood. Patients might present in various ways including chest pain, ST- elevation acute coronary syndrome, ventricular arrhythmia, and sudden cardiac death. Although conservative management is mostly recommended with better outcomes, revascularization should be considered in certain circumstances. In this article, we describe a case series of five patients with SCAD. Additionally, this article reviews clinical presentation, incidence, diagnostic modalities, management and risk of recurrences in patients diagnosed with SCAD.

Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery Improves Systolic Function in Obese Patients With Heart Failure.

Obesity has become a worldwide public health issue. Many obese patients concomitantly suffer with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. There have been reports of improvement in left ventricular systolic function following significant weight loss after bariatric surgery. We sought to investigate this phenomenon within our institution. This was a retrospective single-center analysis of patients conducted between 2010 and 2019. The study included patients with morbid obesity (body mass index >35 kg/m2 and an obesity-related comorbid condition, or a body mass index >40 kg/m2) and left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Analysis was performed based on systolic function recovery after bariatric surgery and advanced heart failure therapy. Of the 190 patients identified, 57 patients had a left ventricular ejection fraction of <40%. Twenty-two patients underwent bariatric surgery, of which at least 54.5% had systolic function recovery. Patients who had systolic function recovery after bariatric surgery were significantly older (51.58 years ± 10.48 vs 32.3 years ± 5.03, P = 0.001). Older age and female sex were predictors of systolic function recovery. In patients with obesity and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, weight loss following bariatric surgery was shown to be correlated with significant improvement in left ventricular systolic function.

Independent Risk Factors for Thromboembolic Events in High-Risk Patients With Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is characteristically associated with left ventricular apical ballooning and regional wall motion abnormalities that predispose to the formation of left ventricular (LV) thrombi and subsequent thromboembolic events (VTE). There is limited data about the risk factors of developing stroke in the absence of LV thrombi in patients with TCM. Identify risk factors that predispose patients with TCM to develop VTE and stroke. We retrospectively reviewed all patients admitted with a primary diagnosis of stress induced or Takotsubo cardiomyopathy at a large tertiary care center from 2005 to 2019. Patients who met the echocardiographic criteria of TCM, had resolution of WMA on repeat echocardiogram, did not have coronary artery disease if angiography was performed and survived for > 3 months after index presentation were included in the analysis. Patients were followed for up to a period of 1 year. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify predictors of thromboembolism. Among the 400 patients who presented with TCM, 146 patients were included in the analysis. A total of 13 patients (8.9%) had documented thromboembolic events. Patients with VTE more often had Atrial fibrillation (30.8% vs 6.8%, P = 0.018), higher LV mass (224.5g vs 184g, P = 0.04), lower EF on presentation (31.5% vs 40%, P = 0.011) and were less likely to have undergone coronary angiography following diagnosis (23.1% vs 54.9%, P = 0.04). On multivariate analysis, atrial fibrillation (OR 9.15, CI 1.15-72.70) and low ejection fraction on admission (OR 0.88, CI 0.81-0.97) were independent risk factors for the development of VTE. Atrial fibrillation and low ejection fraction on presentation were associated with higher risk of developing thromboembolic events in patients with TCM.

Predicting the Severity and Outcome of Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn Using New Echocardiography Parameters.

To examine echocardiographic parameters correlation with clinical severity indices, Alveolar- arterial gradient (A-a gradient), oxygenation index and clinical outcomes in newborns with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN). Retrospective cohort study of 67 subjects, >35 weeks' gestation with the diagnosis of PPHN admitted to the University of Kentucky neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) between September 2014 and December 2016. High left ventricular end-systolic eccentricity index (EIs) correlates with the overall clinical severity of PPHN as it is associated with higher A-a gradient and oxygenation index (P = 0.0003 and P < 0.0001, respectively). Elevated EIs was also predictive for the use of inhaled nitric oxide and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (P = 0.0004 and P < 0.0001, respectively). EIs value of >1.38 provides cutoff value as an objective marker for the need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. EIs can be used to assess clinical severity and outcomes and should be reported routinely. Further studies are warranted to confirm these results.

Right Bundle Branch and Bifascicular Blocks: Insensitive Prognostic Indicators for Acute Myocardial Infarction.

The clinical significance of right bundle branch block (RBBB) or bifascicular block (BFB) in the setting of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is uncertain. RBBB was found in 211 of 7,626 patients (2.8%), presenting to the ED (emergency department) with chest pain, of which 18 (8.5%) also had acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Incidences of ACS were not significantly different between new or presumed new RBBB and prior known RBBB or new or presumed new BFB and prior known BFB. In 2 patients, baseline ST-segment depression in leads V1-3 masked anterior ST-elevation detected on electrocardiogram (ECG). In opposition to the guidelines, the presence of RBBB or BFB does not appear to offer any clinical utility when evaluating patients with suspected AMI. Patients with suspected AMI who present with RBBB and any ST-elevation in leads V1-3 should be considered for emergent coronary angiography rather than RBBB alone.

Ortner's syndrome: A rare case of hoarseness secondary to chronic aortic dissection.

Ortner's syndrome, also known as cardiovocal syndrome, is a rare presentation of aortic dissection. Symptoms occur as a result of recurrent laryngeal nerve compression. Our report describes a case of a patient who complained of hoarseness for a few months and was eventually diagnosed with chronic aortic dissection.

Impact of Digoxin Use on Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy in Patients With Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction.

Background: Digoxin was one of the first agents used in the management of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Concerns over its safety, efficacy, and the introduction of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) have relegated it to a secondary role. The efficacy of digoxin is still under debate, and its use in patients on GDMT remains unclear. We aim to evaluate whether patients with HFrEF on digoxin can tolerate higher doses of a ß-blocker (BB), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI). Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on 233 patients with HFrEF managed at a tertiary care center in Cleveland, Ohio. A bivariate analysis was performed to compare patients on digoxin with patients not on digoxin in terms of ability to progress the dosing of BB, ACEI, MRA, ARB, or ARNI. Results: Thirty-four (14.6%) of our 233 patients were receiving digoxin at baseline visit. The digoxin group was more likely to have lower initial and last systolic blood pressure, initial diastolic blood pressure, and left ventricular ejection fraction. Mean follow-up duration and baseline sodium level were higher in the digoxin group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of patients receiving higher doses of BB (P = 0.235), ACEI/ARB (P = 0.903), MRA (P = 0.331), or ARNI (P = 0.717). Conclusions: There was no significant difference between the doses of BB, ACEI, ARB, MRA, or ARNI among HFrEF patients on digoxin compared to those that were not. Randomized control trials with a larger sample are needed to establish our findings of digoxin not significantly affecting the ability to up titrate GDMT in HFrEF patients.

Right Coronary Artery to Right Atrial Fistula: Role of Multi-Modality Imaging and Percutaneous Closure.

Coronary artery fistula (CAF) is a connection between a coronary artery and a cardiac chamber or nearby vessel. Our case represents a fistula arising from the right coronary artery and terminating in the right atrium, presenting as atrial fibrillation. CAF closure options include surgical and percutaneous approaches.

A Comprehensive Review of the Pleiotropic Effects of Ticagrelor.

AIMS: This review summarizes the findings of preclinical studies evaluating the pleiotropic effects of ticagrelor. These include attenuation of ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), inflammation, adverse cardiac remodeling, and atherosclerosis. In doing so, it aims to provide novel insights into ticagrelor's mechanisms and benefits over other P2Y12 inhibitors. It also generates viable hypotheses for the results of seminal clinical trials assessing ticagrelor use in acute and chronic coronary syndromes. METHODS AND RESULTS: A comprehensive review of the preclinical literature demonstrates that ticagrelor protects against IRI in the setting of both an acute myocardial infarction (MI), and when MI occurs while on chronic treatment. Maintenance therapy with ticagrelor also likely mitigates adverse inflammation, cardiac remodeling, and atherosclerosis, while improving stem cell recruitment. These effects are probably mediated by ticagrelor's ability to increase local interstitial adenosine levels which activate downstream cardio-protective molecules. Attenuation and augmentation of these pleiotropic effects by high-dose aspirin and caffeine, and statins respectively may help explain variable outcomes in PLATO and subsequent randomized controlled trials (RCTs). CONCLUSION: Most RCTs and meta-analyses have not evaluated the pleiotropic effects of ticagrelor. We need further studies comparing cardiovascular outcomes in patients treated with ticagrelor versus other P2Y12 inhibitors that are mindful of the unique pleiotropic advantages afforded by ticagrelor, as well as possible interactions with other therapies (e.g., aspirin, statins, caffeine).

Determining the Safety of Radiofrequency Ablation in Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Devices.

Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) is an effective treatment for arrhythmias. The effects of RFCA on cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIED) function have varied. We aim to study the effect of RFCA on device parameters and clinical outcomes in patients with CIED. We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study between 2011 and 2018. Generator and lead parameters were compared pre- and post-ablation using paired sample t-test. The median follow-up interval for documentation of procedure-related complications and clinical outcomes was 8 weeks. We identified 119 eligible patients; whose mean age was 64.5 ± 11.91 years and 22 (18.4%) were females. Types of CIED include single-chamber implantable cardioverter defibrillators (8.93%), dual-chamber implantable cardioverter defibrillators (41.96%), and either dual-chamber or biventricular pacemakers (44.54%). Arrhythmias for which patients underwent RFCA include atrial fibrillation/atrial tachycardia (15.22%), atrial flutter (38.14%), atrioventricular node reentrant tachycardia (13.56%), and premature ventricular complex or ventricular tachycardia (20.34%). No statistically significant difference was observed in pre- and post-ablation: (1) atrial sensing thresholds, pacing thresholds, lead impedance; (2) right ventricle sensing and pacing thresholds; and (3) left ventricle pacing threshold and impedance. A decrease in right ventricle impedance after ablation (549.77 ± 173 ohm vs 507.40 ± 129.0 ohm, P-value <0.004) was observed. Zero complications or deaths were observed. In this single-center study, RFCA did not significantly impact CIED function and was not associated with short-term complications. However longer follow-up is required to confirm these findings.

The Cost of Breaking Even: a Perspective on the Net Clinical Impact of Adding Aspirin to Antithrombotic Therapies in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

PURPOSE: Outcomes from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) inform the latest recommendations on percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) management of a short period of oral anticoagulation (OAC), a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor, and aspirin for 1 week or until hospital discharge in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing PCI, and up to 4 weeks in individuals considered to be at high-risk for ischemic events, followed by discontinuation of aspirin and continuation of OAC and a P2Y12 inhibitor for up to 12 months. METHODS: We examined and summarized the outcomes of bleeding and major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) from RCTs and meta-analyses, published between 2013 and 2022, comparing therapy with OAC and a P2Y12 inhibitor with and without aspirin in AF patients undergoing PCI with stenting. RESULTS: Data comparing dual therapy with OAC and a P2Y12 inhibitor alone to triple therapy with OAC, a P2Y12 inhibitor, and aspirin with respect to the risks of MACEs, including stent thrombosis within the first 30 days, are underpowered and inconclusive. The addition of aspirin does not appear to be associated with a decreased risk of ischemic events, even in patients with high-risk CHA2DS2-VASc scores, but does significantly increase bleeding hazards. The increased safety of newer generation drug-eluting stents may have further minimized any theoretical anti-ischemic benefits of aspirin. The possible attenuation of the pleiotropic effects of concomitant cardiovascular medications by aspirin may also have been a contributing factor. CONCLUSION: The addition of aspirin to OAC and a P2Y12 inhibitor is likely associated with a net clinical harm in patients with AF who undergo PCI with stenting, even within the first 1-4 weeks after PCI. Revisiting the guideline recommendations to administer aspirin in this timeframe may be warranted.

Clinical outcomes and predictors of complications in patients undergoing leadless pacemaker implantation.

BACKGROUND: Leadless pacemakers have emerged as a viable alternative for traditional transvenous pacemakers to reduce the risk of device-related complications. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the real-world clinical outcomes and complications associated with the implantation of leadless pacemaker devices. METHODS: Using the National Readmission Database (NRD), we examined patient demographics, and in-hospital and 30-day procedural outcomes after leadless pacemaker implantation from 2016-2018. Our cohort comprised adults (≥18 years) with an ICD-10 procedural code for leadless pacemaker implantation. RESULTS: Our cohort included a total of 7821 patients who underwent leadless pacemaker implantation. Overall immediate procedure-related complications, as defined broadly in this study, occurred in 7.5% of patients. Pericardial effusion without the need for pericardiocentesis occurred in 1.9% of patients, with pericardiocentesis performed in 1.0%. Vascular complications occurred in 2.3% of patients; 0.33% required repair, and device dislodgment occurred in 0.51%. The most significant predictor for procedural complications was end-stage renal disease (odds ratio [OR] 1.65; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17-2.32; P = .004), congestive heart failure (OR 1.28; 95% CI 1.01-1.62; P = .04), and coagulopathy (OR 1.77; 95% CI 1.34-2.34; P <.001). All-cause readmission occurred in 17.9% of patients within 30 days from device implant, with 1.36% of readmissions being procedure related. At 30 days postimplant and after discharge, 0.25% of patients needed a new pacemaker, and 0.18% had pericardial complications. CONCLUSION: In our large real-life cohort, we found the rate of serious complications after leadless pacemaker implantation to be relatively low and comparable to prior studies in a high-risk population with multiple comorbid conditions.

Differences in Social Hardships in Women and Men with Acute Myocardial Infarction: Impact on 30-Day Readmission.

Background: Studies have shown that women with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have a higher prevalence of unfavorable social variables then men and have a worse outcome. Less is known regarding the impact of these social variables on 30-day readmission after AMI. Materials and Methods: We analyzed adult patients with AMI enrolled in a Quality Improvement Program intended to improve the peri-discharge care of patients with an AMI, and decrease all-cause 30-day unplanned readmissions. We compared clinical and social variables by gender. Multivariate logistic regression, with separate adjustment for clinical and for social variable, was used to measure adjusted odds for readmission by gender. Results: Among 208 patients included in our project 68 (32.7%) were women. Only 30.9% of women were married or had domestic partner at the time of the interview and only 16.2% were employed. Nearly half of women (48.5%) needed help with medical care, and 39.7% of women did not speak English as their first language. These variables were significantly different by gender. Rates of 30-day readmissions were higher in women than men (22.1% vs. 7.8%, p = 0.024). After adjusting for clinical variables this difference by gender in 30-day readmissions remained significant (odds ratio [OR] 3.34 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-11.1, p = 0.049). However, when adjusting for social variables, this difference was no longer noted (OR 0.87 95% CI 0.27-2.78, p = 0.822). Conclusion: Women with AMI are more likely than men to have unfavorable social factors that can impact recovery from AMI and women have a higher 30-day readmission rate. The higher 30-day readmissions in women appears to be influenced by these social factors. Health care interventions aimed at reducing 30-day readmission after AMI should focus on eliciting a detailed social history and providing aid for those requiring additional social support at home.

Demographic Undertones for Sepsis Mortality in a Community-Based Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis continues to take main stage in healthcare. Therefore, it remains crucial to elucidate contributors to sepsis mortality. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of race, insurance type, and code status on sepsis mortality in a community health system. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of inpatient adults of any sex, race, and insurance type with a diagnosis of sepsis, severe sepsis, septic shock, or pneumonia. RESULTS: We included 913 patients, with an average age of 69 years for expired patients and 62 years for non-expiring patients (P < 0.0001). After controlling for other variables, patients who presented as comfort care arrest were 4.3 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.8 to 9.9, P = 0.0007) times more likely to have died than full code patients. Those who were comfort care only were 10.6 (95% CI: 0.8 to 140.6, P = 0.0741) times more likely to have died than the full code, although this was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that patients who are comfort care arrest have an increased risk of sepsis mortality. The results show no impact of insurance type or race on sepsis mortality, which is in contrast to some existing literature. The study suggests that institutions may need to investigate internal variables related to sepsis mortality.

The Effect of Early Aggressive Diuresis on Hospital Length of Stay in Acute Congestive Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: Diuresis is the mainstay of treatment during hospitalization for patients admitted with congestive heart failure (CHF). Hospital length of stay (LOS) is considered an important patient outcome for CHF patients; previous studies comparing higher rates of diuresis (aggressive) versus relatively lower rates (nonaggressive) on patient outcomes have shown contradicting results. In fact, no specific guidelines to direct diuretic therapy exist. This investigation was designed to study the effect of early aggressive diuresis on hospital LOS. METHODS: Data from 194 CHF patients (admitted to the hospital for 1 year) were collected and analyzed in a retrospective cohort study design. Patients were divided into two cohorts based on urine output achieved in the first 24 h of admission; the aggressive diuresis cohort (urine output ≥2400 mL) comprised of 29 subjects while the nonaggressive diuresis cohort (urine output ≤2400 mL) had 165 subjects. The primary endpoint was LOS. RESULTS: Median LOS for the aggressive diuresis cohort was 4 days (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.95-5.06) as compared to 5 days (95% CI 4.40-5.60) for the nonaggressive diuresis cohort; log-rank test showed no significant differences between the hospitalized proportions between the two cohorts over time (P = 0.67). CONCLUSION: Hospital LOS for CHF patients treated with early aggressive diuresis was not significantly different compared to patients treated with nonaggressive diuresis.

The risk and severity of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation and gout: A National Representative Database study.

BACKGROUND: It has been shown that gout is associated with left atrium remodeling and a pro-inflammatory state leading to the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). There is limited evidence whether gout increases the risk of stroke in patients with AF. We assessed the incidence of gout and the risk of stroke in patients with AF. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study using the 2016 US National Inpatient Sample (NIS) based on ICD-10 codes. The outcomes of the study were the risk and severity of new stroke in patients with pre-existing AF and gout. RESULTS: In 2016, we identified 3 844 057 patients admitted to the hospitals in NIS with history of AF, of which 240 875 had history of gout. Patients with AF and gout have higher risk of new stroke (OR 2.07 [1.97-2.19], P < .001), and this risk remains significantly elevated after adjusting for CHADS2VASC score variables, chronic kidney disease, dyslipidemia, obesity, and race (OR 1.10 [1.01-1.11], P = .041). However, presence of gout in patients with AF was not associated with all-cause in-hospital mortality, need for mechanical ventilation, percutaneous gastrostomy tube insertion, or discharge to skilled nursing facility. CONCLUSION: Subjects with AF and gout compared to AF alone had an increased risk of new stroke, but presence of gout was not associated with stroke severity. There is a potential role of gout as a risk factor or a risk marker for stroke in subjects with AF.

Impact of cardiovascular comorbidities on inpatient mortality in patients hospitalized with neutropenic fever.

INTRODUCTION: Concomitant cardiovascular comorbidities in patients with cancer are not uncommon. There is limited data on the impact of cardiovascular comorbidities on in-hospital mortality in patients admitted with neutropenic fever. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study using the 2016 NIS database of adults (> 18 years old) hospitalized for neutropenic fever as the primary diagnosis. The primary outcome studied is all-cause mortality in patients with neutropenic fever. ICD-10-CM codes were used to identify cardiovascular risk factors including smoking; hyperlipidemia; peripheral vascular diseases; hypertension; history of cerebrovascular disease or transient ischemic attack; and cardiovascular morbidities including atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, and congestive heart failure. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to adjust for cofounders. RESULTS: A total of 28,060 patients were admitted with neutropenic fever in 2016. Average age was 43.9 ± 1.7 years, and 49.3% were females. Among the cases identified, 205 patients died during hospitalization with an overall in-hospital mortality of 0.7%. Atrial fibrillation was independently associated with higher in-hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR] 3.01; CI 1.38 to 6.57; p = 0.005) as was congestive heart failure (OR 3.15; CI 1.08 to 10.14; p = 0.049). CONCLUSION: Atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure were associated with higher inpatient mortality in patients with neutropenic fever. Identifying the risk factors for increased mortality in patients with neutropenic fever is important for risk stratification and guiding clinicians in taking therapeutic decisions in this set of patients.

A case of complete heart block in a COVID-19 infected patient.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we herein report the case of an elderly female with multiple comorbidities coming with typical symptoms of the viral infection in addition to the unusual presentation of bradycardia due to complete heart block requiring pacemaker placement. This may be a rare complication of the disease but one has to keep a high index of suspicion since this virus has an ability to affect multiple organ systems with many ways yet to be uncovered. .

Trends of Cardiac Complications in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: Analysis of the United States National Inpatient Sample; 2005-2014.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory condition. Chronic inflammation is associated with atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic kidney disease. But sparse data are available regarding the trends of cardiovascular diseases and complications in RA. We conducted a National Inpatient Sample database analysis to demonstrate the trends of cardiac complications in patients with RA. METHODS: We used National Inpatient Sample data from 2005 to 2014 to identify admissions with the diagnosis of RA and identified who had associated cardiovascular complications also. The International Classification of Diseases-9th Revision-Clinical Modification codes were used for the diagnoses of RA; congestive heart failure (CHF), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and atrial fibrillation (AF). RESULTS: A statistically significant increasing trend of AMI, CHF, and AF was found. Independent predictors of mortality in RA patients with AMI were age (OR 1.03, CI 1.02-1.04; P < 0.001), COPD (OR 1.67, CI 1.40-2.00; P < 0.001), cerebrovascular disease (OR 2.207, CI 1.71-2.86; P < 0.001), renal disease (OR 1.42, CI 1.16-1.75; P = 0.001), and alcohol abuse (OR 2.73, CI 1.73-4.32; P < 0.001). Independent predictors of mortality in RA patients with CHF were age (odds ratio [OR] 1.02, confidence interval [CI] 1.017-1.024; P < 0.001]), COPD (OR 1.09, CI 1.01-1.18; P = 0.023), cerebrovascular disease (OR 1.67, CI 1.44-1.95; P < 0.001), renal disease (OR 1.16, CI 1.07-1.27; P = 0.001). Independent predictors of mortality in RA patients with AF were age (OR 1.02, CI 1.02-1.03; P < 0.001), race (OR 1.16, CI 1.02-1.31; P = 0.022), COPD (OR 1.56, CI 1.42-1.71; P < 0.001), peripheral arterial disease (OR 1.34, CI 1.16-1.53; P < 0.001), cerebrovascular disease (OR 2.27, CI 1.0-2.58; P < 0.001), renal disease (OR 1.60, CI 1.44-1.80; P < 0.001). The mortality trend has increased significantly in the CHF (P = 0.025) and AF (P = 0.042) groups during this study period. CONCLUSIONS: We have found a significant increase in trend of cardiovascular complications in RA patients. The proportion of patients, with cardiovascular comorbidities, have also been increased significantly.