European Journal of Rheumatology
Case Series

Left ventricular systolic dysfunction in two patients with ankylosing spondylitis: What is the role of corticosteroids?

1.

Department of Heart Failure and Transplantation, Rajaei Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Eur J Rheumatol 2016; 3: 179-181
DOI: 10.5152/eurjrheum.2016.15069
Read: 2191 Downloads: 1156 Published: 03 September 2019

Abstract

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory condition that most commonly affects the axial skeleton. The most common cardiac manifestation in patients with AS is the aortic root and valve disease, followed by conduction and rhythm abnormalities, decreased coronary flow reserve, myocardial infarction, and diastolic dysfunction. However, the presence of systolic dysfunction has been less described in patients with AS. Herein we present two cases of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in patients with AS. These patients were noted to have an improvement of their ejection fraction following treatment of AS. Clinical and echocardiographic improvement on anti-inflammatory treatment might be a clue to the inflammatory nature of this myocardial problem, and further investigations to study the issue is required.

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EISSN 2148-4279