Capabilities of computed tomography angiography in the diagnosis of coronary artery calcifications in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

The study was performed to identify the features of coronary artery calcifications with the use of coronary computed tomography angiography in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. In the study, calcifications were found in one vessel in 5 (8.3%) patients, in two vessels - in 24 (40%) subjects, in three vessels - in 28 (46.7%), and in four vessels - in 3 (5%) patients. 100% of patients were diagnosed with calcifications in the left descending artery, 90.2% - in left circumflex artery, 56.9% - in right coronary artery, 9.8% - in the root of left coronary artery, 92.2% of patients were diagnosed with calcifications of the aortic arch. The highest calcium score was registered in left circumflex artery (343.5±10.0 HU), and the lowest one - in right coronary artery (262.1±17.7 HU). The study results demonstrated correlation between the stage of rheumatoid arthritis and coronary calcification. In 77.8% of patients with stage I of the disease and in all patients with stage II, III and IV, calcifications of various size and localization were revealed in coronary arteries and aortic arch. Also, the relationship between duration of the disease and calcinosis extent was revealed. The obtained results indicate the importance of coronary computed tomography angiography for the diagnosis of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis due to high risk of cardiovascular complications in these patients.

Keywords

coronary computed tomography angiography / rheumatoid arthritis / coronary calcification / calcium score

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