Helena Mikazane
Latvia
Research Article
Are Brachiocephalic Atherosclerotic Plaques to be considered as Predictors of Myocardial Infarction in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients?
Author(s): Evija Stumbra Stumberga, Gaida Krumina, Helena Mikazane, Silva Senkane and Liana ZiedianaEvija Stumbra Stumberga, Gaida Krumina, Helena Mikazane, Silva Senkane and Liana Ziediana
Introduction: Carotid ultrasound based on assessment of intima media thickness (IMT) and presence of plaques has been considered to be a cheap and efficient way to measure clinical atherosclerosis. Both carotid IMT and carotid plaques have been proved to be good predictors of CV (cardiovascular) events of rheumatic patients, offering additional value to the traditional risk scores in the prediction of CVD (cardiovascular disease). The objective of the study was to determine whether atherosclerotic brachiocephalic plaques, traditional CV risk factors as well as RA (rheumatoid arthritis) disease activity have an effect on the risk of myocardial infarction in RA patients with comparable disease duration.
Methods: A case control study was performed within the prospective cohort of 92 RA patients, out of them were female 81%, aged 40-84. .. View More»
