TY - JOUR ID - TI - Cardiac Involvement in Rheumatoid Arthritis AU - Raof R. Merza PY - 2008 VL - 7 IS - 1 SP - 27 EP - 30 JO - Mustansiriya Medical Journal مجلة المستنصرية الطبية SN - 20701128 22274081 AB - ObjectiveTo determine cardiac involvement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its clinical and echocardiographic findings.Methods:Fifty five RA patients who fulfilled the revised criteria of American College of Rheumatology enrolled in the study. The patients subjected to clinical assessment and electrocardiography (ECG), chest x-ray and echocardiographic study were done for them.Results:Cardiac abnormalities were detected in 18(32.72% p value 0.0051) patients. Pericardial effusion was found in 4(7.27%) patients while left ventricular and right ventricular diastolic dysfunction detected in 8(14.54%) patients. Abnormal electrocardiographic findings were identified in 10(18.18%) patients including partial bundle brunch block, low voltage graph and non specific T wave changes. Chest x ray with increased cardiothoracic ratio found in 5 (9.09%) patients.Conclusion:Cardiac involvement is a recognized sequel of RA. Pericardial effusion and diastolic dysfunction is not unknown. Non specific ECG changes were recorded. Frequent follow up regarding cardiac status in RA is recommended.

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