CardioNerds Cardio-Rheumatology Series Co-Chairs Dr. Rick Ferraro, Dr. Gurleen Kaur, and and Dr. Bree Hansen discuss how to decipher cardiovascular risk in patients with rheumatological conditions with cardio-rheumatology experts Dr. Brittany Weber and Dr. Michael Garshick.



In this episode, Drs. Weber and Garshick take us through the role of inflammation in patients with rheumatologic conditions and cardiovascular disease. They discuss the increased prevalence of traditional cardiac risk factors in this population and how these standard cardiac risk factors do not account for the full extent of cardiovascular risk. Dr. Bree Hansen drafted show notes. Audio editing by CardioNerds intern Christiana Dangas.

















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Pearls - Cardio-Rheumatology - Deciphering Cardiovascular Risk in Patients with Rheumatological Conditions




Cardiovascular disease prevalence: cardiovascular disease is common in patients with autoimmune rheumatologic disease; therefore, we must take every opportunity to screen patients early.



Limitations of Traditional Scores: conventional risk calculators often underestimate cardiovascular risk for autoimmune disease patients, necessitating additional methods to assess risk accurately.



Integration of Disease-Specific Biomarkers: using biomarkers specific to autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, enhances risk assessment and helps in tailoring treatment strategies.



Value of Imaging and Risk Enhancers: incorporating imaging (like CAC scoring and carotid ultrasound) and evaluating additional risk factors (such as lipoprotein(a) and high-sensitivity CRP) provides a more comprehensive view of cardiovascular risk and guides more effective management.




Show notes - Cardio-Rheumatology - Deciphering Cardiovascular Risk in Patients with Rheumatological Conditions



Show notes (Drafted by Dr. Bree Hansen):



How does inflammation contribute to atherosclerosis, specifically in autoimmune rheumatologic diseases like psoriasis?




Lipids need to enter the intimal space of blood vessels, which can be facilitated by endothelial damage caused by chronic cytokine stimulation, such as TNF or IL-6. Once in the intima, lipids are recognized as foreign, leading to the recruitment of monocytes that transform into macrophages to clear these lipids. However, this process often exacerbates the problem, leading to persistent inflammation and atherosclerotic plaque formation.



Specifically, in psoriasis, the endothelial damage is particularly pronounced due to cytokines like TNF, IL-17, and interferons. The inflammasome pathway, which is highly active in psoriasis, also contributes to endothelial damage. Additionally, hyperactivated platelets in psoriasis can further damage the endothelium and contribute to atherosclerosis.



Overall, atherosclerosis results from a combination of traditional risk factors and systemic inflammation, leading to the development of cardiovascular disease.




Which traditional cardiovascular risk factors are increased in patients with rheumatologic conditions?




Patients with autoimmune diseases may be up to > three times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, similar to the risk of type 2 diabetes; therefore, it is important to screen patients with autoimmune rheumatologic disorders for cardiovascular disease



Most common cardiovascular risk factors, such as smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, are also increased in patients with autoimmune rheumatologic disorders. Smoking, specifically, is highly prevalent in psoriasis and exhibits a dose-response relationship with psoriasis severity.



Hyperlipidemia is another common risk factor present in patients with autoimmune rheumatologic disease; however,