Influence of atorvastatin on coronary calcifications and myocardial perfusion defects in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: a prospective, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled study.

INTRODUCTION: Mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients is influenced by an increased occurrence of severe cardiovascular complications. Statins have been proven to protect a wide spectrum of SLE patients from these complications. This study was conducted to determine the possible efficacy of atorvastatin in SLE patients as assessed by multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT)-based coronary calcium scoring and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) of the myocardium. METHODS: Sixty SLE patients in stable clinical conditions were randomized to receive either atorvastatin (40 mg daily; n = 28) or placebo (n = 32). Clinical and biochemical evaluation together with MDCT-based coronary calcium scoring and SPECT studies (Tc-99 m sestamibi) were performed at the time of randomization and after 1 year of treatment. RESULTS: At randomization, SPECT revealed perfusion defects at rest in 22 (36.7%) patients and exercise-induced defects in 8 (13.3%), whereas MDCT revealed coronary calcifications in 15 subjects (25%). Coronary calcium deposits increased after 1 year in the placebo group (plaque volume change from 35.2 ± 44.9 to 62.9 ± 72.4, P < 0.05; calcium score from 32.1 ± 39.1 to 59.5 ± 64.4; P < 0.05), but not in the atorvastatin group (plaque volume 54.5 ± 62.4 vs. 51.0 ± 47.6, P not significant; calcium score 44.8 ± 50.6 vs. 54.9 ± 62.5, P not significant). The atorvastatin group showed a decrease in total serum cholesterol (from 5.1 ± 1.2 to 4.4 ± 0.7 mmol/L, P < 0.05), LDL cholesterol (2.9 ± 1.0 to 2.3 ± 0.6 mmol/L, P < 0.05), triglycerides (1.6 ± 0.6 to 1.2 ± 0.5 mmol/L, P < 0.05), and C-reactive protein (CRP) (4.4 ± 4.1 to 2.7 ± 1.7 mg/L, P < 0.05). There was no change in the mean Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score in patients from both groups. Perfusion defects observed at randomization showed no change after one year treatment with atorvastatin. CONCLUSIONS: In SLE patients 40 mg of atorvastatin daily for 1 year led to a decrease in serum lipids and CRP levels. Additionally the progression of atherosclerosis, as assessed by MDCT-based coronary calcium scoring, is restrained by atorvastatin treatment. The value of statin treatment in patients with SLE free from cardiovascular disease clinical symptoms should be addressed in large, prospective clinical trials.

Heart structure and function in patients with generalized autoimmune diseases: echocardiography with tissue Doppler study.

OBJECTIVE: Heart pathology strongly influences the course and prognosis of patients with generalized autoimmune diseases. In spite of autoimmunity being a common denominator of these diseases, systemic sclerosis (SSc), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and dermato/polymyositis (DPM) differ significantly in the pathogenesis of organ damage. The aim of the study was to compare pathologic changes in heart structure and function in these diseases by means of standard echocardiography and tissue Doppler (TDE). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four groups were examined: 60 SSc, 60 SLE and 15 DPM patients in stable clinical conditions and 30 healthy control subjects. Echocardiography with TDE was performed with the assessment of systolic (S) and diastolic (E) velocities of mitral and tricuspid annuli. RESULTS: Heart in SSc was characterized by significant diastolic left ventricular dysfunction (mitral E 8.61 +/- 2.3 cm/s vs. 12.4 +/- 3.5 cm/s in the control group; P < 0.01) with preserved systolic function (mitral S 7.85 +/- 1.5 cm/s vs. 7.95 +/- 0.9 cm/s in control group; ns). SLE and DPM resulted mainly in pathologic thickening of valvular leaflets and/or pericardium [mitral or aortic leaflets thickened in 38 (63.3%) of SLE patients, 7 (46.7%) of DPM patients; pericardium thickened in 36 (60%) of SLE patients]. Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure was elevated in SSc (13.8 +/- 3.5 mmHg) and DPM (13.2 +/- 2.5 mmHg) patients as compared to the control group (9.2 +/- 3.7 mmHg, P < 0.01). Right ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction was frequent irrespective of the presence or absence of pulmonary hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Echocardiography with TDE reveals characteristic pathology in different forms of generalized autoimmune diseases reflecting their different pathogenetic mechanisms. Overproduction of collagen in SSc results in diastolic left ventricular dysfunction, while generalized inflammation in SLE and DPM leads mainly to pathologic changes on valvular leaflets and/or pericardium. Interestingly, right ventricular dysfunction is common in all diseases analyzed, regardless of the presence of pulmonary hypertension. Echocardiography, preferably with TDE, could add valuable information about usually asymptomatic heart pathology in an individual patient with generalized autoimmune disease.

Knowledge of a patient-dependant phase of acute myocardial infarction in Polish adults: the role of physician's advice.

BACKGROUND: Effective management of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is limited by patient delay in calling an ambulance. We aimed to assess knowledge related to a patient-dependant phase of AMI and its determinants in adults. METHODS: Questionnaire survey was conducted among a random sample of 942 men (48%) and women (52%) aged 63.50 ± 6.50 selected from population registers in Cracow (Poland). Questions from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were used to assess knowledge of AMI symptoms. The respondents were further asked about the first thing they would do in response to AMI symptoms, the emergency phone number and whether a doctor advised them about AMI. RESULTS: All suggested AMI symptoms were recognized by 51 (5.4%) respondents. More persons would call an ambulance in response to AMI symptoms in another person than if they appear in themselves (87.4% vs. 74.4%, P = 0.02). Only 644 (68%) participants knew the emergency phone number and 104 (11%) were advised about AMI by their doctors. Such advice was associated with higher rates of knowledge of AMI symptoms and the emergency phone number but not with a declaration of the appropriate reaction to AMI symptoms. Participants after AMI did not represent better knowledge of a patient-dependant phase of AMI but paradoxically less frequently than other persons declared calling an ambulance in response to AMI symptoms. CONCLUSION: Improvement in knowledge and attitudes related to a patient-dependant phase of AMI is needed in adults even if they experienced AMI before. A routine advice from a doctor may contribute significantly to this improvement.