Clinical Report: Abnormalities in Myocardial Work Among Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Overview

This study investigates subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (pLVEF), revealing that myocardial work abnormalities are more closely linked to disease activity than to disease duration.

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Early detection of myocardial dysfunction is critical, as conventional assessments often miss subclinical injuries.

Data Highlights

Key Findings

• Both RA groups exhibited significantly impaired myocardial mechanics compared to healthy controls.
• Global Constructive Work (GCW) was significantly reduced in the long-duration RA group.
• Global Work Efficiency (GWE) showed a negative correlation with inflammatory activity as measured by DAS28-CRP.
• No significant correlation was found between myocardial work parameters and disease duration.
• Myocardial work analysis is a sensitive tool for detecting subclinical myocardial dysfunction in RA patients.

Clinical Implications

Monitoring myocardial work in RA patients may provide insights into cardiovascular risk that are not captured by traditional measures.

Conclusion

Subclinical myocardial dysfunction in RA patients is associated with current disease activity rather than cumulative disease duration.

Related Resources & Content

1. Frontiers, 2026 -- Myocardial work abnormalities in rheumatoid arthritis with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction are more closely related to disease activity than to disease duration: a prospective cross-sectional study
2. Clinical Rheumatology, 2021 -- Clinical Factors and Cardiac Morphological and Functional Changes Evaluated by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients Without Evident Heart Disease
3. Clinical Rheumatology, 2018 -- Diastolic Dysfunction Observed in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients with Mild Disease Activity
4. Clinical Research in Cardiology, 2024 -- Asymptomatic Left Ventricular Impairment in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Insights from the Porto-RA Prospective Study
5. EULAR recommendations for cardiovascular risk management in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid syndrome
6. Clinical Applications of Strain Echocardiography: A Clinical Consensus Statement From the American Society of Echocardiography Developed in Collaboration With the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging of the European Society of Cardiology
7. Clinical Research in Cardiology — The Prognostic Role of Rheumatic Disorders in Patients Experiencing Heart Failure with Mildly Reduced Ejection Fraction
8. EULAR recommendations for cardiovascular risk management in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid syndrome
9. Clinical Applications of Strain Echocardiography: A Clinical Consensus Statement From the American Society of Echocardiography Developed in Collaboration With the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging of the European Society of Cardiology
10. Frontiers | Myocardial work abnormalities in rheumatoid arthritis with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction are more closely related to disease activity than to disease duration: a prospective cross-sectional study