Early detection of Asymptomatic Myocardial Dysfunctions in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: A New Approach

Background: Cases of rheumatoid arthritis [RA] are characterized by a decreased life expectancy, as well as a 50% are at greater risk of developing cardiovascular diseases [CVD] compared to other subjects. Precocious myocardial dysfunction can be detected more accurately and faster with speckle -tracking Echocardiography.The aim of the work: This study attempts to evaluate the function of myocardial Left ventricular [LV] systole via Speckle Tracking Echocardiography [STE] strain imaging in RA cases with the absence of [CVD] and to correlate the results with the disease features.Patients and Methods: A case control study, which recruited 60 RA cases [with a median age of 46.22 ± 8.14 years] without known CVD, as well as 60 healthy controls.Results: Assessment of speckle-tracking for [LV] systolic function revealed diminished Global Longitudinal Strain [GLS] in patient group [-16.80% vs. -22.35%, PP