Cardiomyopathy and pericardial tamponade in ulcerative colitis

Myocarditis in systemic immune-mediated diseases: Prevalence, characteristics and prognosis. A systematic review

Many systemic immune-mediated diseases (SIDs) may involve the heart and present as myocarditis with different histopathological pictures, i.e. lymphocytic, eosinophilic, granulomatous, and clinical features, ranging from a completely asymptomatic patient to life-threatening cardiogenic shock or arrhythmias. Myocarditis can be part of some SIDs, such as sarcoidosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, antiphospholipid syndrome, dermato-polymyositis, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis and other vasculitis syndromes, but also of some organ-based immune-mediated diseases with systemic expression, such as chronic inflammatory bowel diseases. The aim of this review is to describe the prevalence, main clinical characteristics and prognosis of myocarditis associated with SIDs.

Cardiovascular Manifestations in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review of the Pathogenesis and Management of Pericarditis

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition of the bowel that can be further categorized into ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Rarely, this condition can be associated with pericarditis, which can be an extraintestinal manifestation of the disease or drug-induced. This review aims to determine the pathogenesis and management of pericarditis in IBD. In this review, the goal is to elucidate the pathogenesis of pericarditis in IBD and determine if pericarditis is an extraintestinal manifestation of IBD or a complication of current drug therapy used to manage IBD. Additionally, this review intends to explain the first-line management of pericarditis in IBD and explore the role of biologicals in attenuating pericarditis. An electronic search was conducted to identify relevant reports of pericarditis in IBD, and a quality assessment was conducted to identify high-quality articles according to the inclusion criteria. Full-text articles from inception to November 2020 were included, while non-English articles, gray literature, and animal studies were excluded. The majority of studies suggest that pericarditis arises as a complication of drug therapy by 5-aminosalicylic acid derivatives such as sulfasalazine, mesalamine, and balsalazide, and it occurs due to IgE-mediated allergic reactions, direct cardiac toxicity, cell-mediated hypersensitivity reactions, and humoral antibody response to therapy. Drug cessation or the initiation of a corticosteroid regimen seems to be the most effective means of managing pericarditis in IBD due to drug therapy or an extraintestinal manifestation.

Cardiac functions and aortic elasticity in children with inflammatory bowel disease: effect of age at disease onset

AIM

Childhood onset inflammatory bowel disease is more aggressive and has rapidly progressive clinical course than adult inflammatory bowel disease. Early-onset inflammatory bowel disease has more severe clinical progression as a subspecialised group of monogenic inflammatory bowel disease. We studied cardiac functions and aortic elasticity in children with early- and late-onset inflammatory bowel disease in remission period.

METHODS

Thirty-three paediatric patients were divided into subgroups according to age of disease onset (<10 and >10 years of age). Twenty-five healthy children were admitted as control group. M-Mode echocardiography and pulsed wave Doppler echocardiography were performed. Strain, distensibility, stiffness index of ascending, and abdominal aorta were evaluated.

RESULTS

Interventricular septum (mm) and left ventricular end-systolic diameter were higher (6.9 ± 1.2, 26.2 ± 4.6) in early-onset inflammatory bowel disease patients than control patients (6.1 ± 1.27, 22.7 ± 4.12) (p = 0.050, p = 0.050). Mitral E/E' ratio and myocardial performance index were increased in inflammatory bowel disease and early-onset inflammatory bowel disease groups than control group (p = 0.046, p = 0.04; p = 0.023, p = 0.033). Diastolic functions were found to be impaired in inflammatory bowel disease and early-onset inflammatory bowel disease groups according to control group, while there was no difference between late-onset inflammatory bowel disease and control groups in terms of diastolic functions. Mitral E/A ratio was lower in inflammatory bowel disease patients and early-onset inflammatory bowel disease patients (1.46 ± 0.32, 1.4 ± 0.21) than control patients (1.70 ± 0.27) (p = 0.013, p = 0.004). Aortic elasticity did not differ between groups.

CONCLUSION

Chronic low-grade inflammation has effects on left ventricular diameters and diastolic function in remission period. Aortic elasticity is not affected in our study groups.

Atrial peak longitudinal strain may be predictive of pancolitis in patients with ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease of the colon that is characterized by a relapsing and remitting course. Previous studies have shown that arterial stiffness, carotid intima media thickness, atrial electromechanical delay, and global longitudinal strain suggested subclinical cardiovascular disorders in ulcerative colitis patients. The aims of our study was to evaluate the left atrial function of patients with ulcerative colitis by using speckle tracking echocardiography, and to assess the relationship between echocardiographic variables and the extent of the disease.

METHODS

We recruited 51 outpatients with ulcerative colitis in remission phase and 52 healthy volunteers. The ulcerative colitis patients were evaluated by for the extent of the disease by endoscopy at the initial diagnosis.

RESULTS

E/E_m , left atrial volume, and left atrial stiffness index were higher, and peak atrial longitudinal strain was lower in pancolitis than in non-pancolitis patients. In the multivariate logistic regression test, peak atrial longitudinal strain and E/E_m were found to be independent predictors for pancolitis.

CONCLUSION

Early detection of myocardial abnormalities by conventional echocardiography and speckle tracking echocardiography, which is a simple and non-invasive technique, may be useful for giving insights to the extent of the disease in ulcerative colitis patients.

Two Cases of Pericarditis Associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Extraintestinal manifestations are common complications of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) whereas the association of cardiac disease with IBD is rarely reported. Cardiac manifestations may be diagnosed before, concomitantly or after the diagnosis of the specific type of inflammatory bowel disease. Pericarditis and myocarditis are potentially serious complications. This extraintestinal manifestation developed in one patient concomitantly with onset of intestinal disease. One patient had ulcerative colitis (UC), while other had Crohn’s disease (CD). Indomethacin was effective in one and the other patient required prednisone in addition. Chest symptoms in patients with inflammatory bowel disease should be evaluated to exclude myopericardial disease.

Assessment of Atrial Electromechanical Delay and Left Atrial Mechanical Functions in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis

OBJECTIVE

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a common inflammatory bowel disease causing systemic inflammation, which may also affect the cardiovascular system, as well as other organ systems. The aim of the current study was to evaluate left atrial (LA) mechanical functions and duration of atrial electromechanical delay (AEMD) with echocardiography in patients with UC.

METHOD

A total of 91 patients, 45 with UC (Group 1) and 46 healthy individuals as control (Group 2) were included in the study. The demographic and laboratory data were recorded, and echocardiographic measurements were taken for all patients.

RESULTS

In the evaluation of basal clinical and laboratory findings, no difference was detected between the two groups, except for white blood cell count (WBC) (8.26 ± 2.71 vs. 7.06 ± 1.70, P = 0.013) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP; 3.4 ± 1.7 vs. 1.0 ± 0.8, P < 0.001). The echocardiographic assessment revealed that the diastolic parameters such as E-, E/A-, and E- waves decreased in the UC group when compared to the control group. LA mechanical functions were different between groups, except for left atrial (LA) maximal volume: LA minimum volume (22.2 ± 12.9 vs. 15.3 ± 4.7, P = 0.001), LA volume before atrial systole (29.9 ± 14.2 vs. 24.2 ± 4.9, P = 0.021), LA ejection fraction (27.4 ± 16.5 vs. 38.6 ± 10.1, P < 0.001), LA total emptying volume (17.9 ± 6.9 vs. 21.9 ± 5.9, P = 0.004), LA active emptying fraction (27.4 ± 16.5 vs. 38.6 ± 10.1, P < 0.001), LA active emptying volume (7.7 ± 3.6 vs. 9.4 ± 2.9, P = 0.013), LA passive emptying fraction (26.8 ± 10.2 vs. 33.2 ± 9.2, P = 0.002), and LA passive emptying volume (10.3 ± 4.9 vs. 12.5 ± 4.5, P = 0.029). There was a significant difference between the groups in terms of AEMD durations, except time interval from the onset of the P-wave on the surface ECG to the peak of the late diastolic wave (PA) of the tricuspid valve. The correlation analysis revealed that age and duration of disease were correlated with AEMD.

CONCLUSION

The current study reported that LA volume and mechanical functions degenerated and AEMD increased in patients with UC when compared to the control group. These findings demonstrate that UC may have effects on LA electromechanical functions related to duration of disease.

Proposed case of mesalazine-induced cardiomyopathy in severe ulcerative colitis

Five-amino salicylic acids are recommended for use in the management of inflammatory bowel disease, cardiac complications are a rare although recognised phenomenon. This report aims to highlight this serious but rare adverse reaction. We report here a case of a young man presenting with cardiogenic shock in the context of recent mesalazine treatment in severe ulcerative colitis.

Evaluation of cardiac function by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in ulcerative colitis patients

PURPOSE

Although ulcerative colitis (UC) shows obvious similarities with other autoimmune diseases, cardiac consequences have not adequately introduced. The aim of our study was to evaluate left ventricular (LV) function in UC patients by using novel echocardiographic parameters.

RESULTS

Forty-five UC patients (mean age 37, 18 female) and 90 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers (mean age 40, 38 female) included in the study. The mean disease activity score according to partial Mayo score was 2.16 ± 2.13. Mean global longitudinal strain (GLS) and global longitudinal strain rate (GLSR) measurements were significantly lower (-21.16 ± 2.71 vs. -23.36 ± 3.34; p < 0.001 and -1.33 ± 0.24 vs. -1.43 ± 0.24; p = 0.037, respectively), whereas global circumferential (-22.67 ± 3.66 vs. -23.37 ± 3.99; p = 0.140) and global radial strain (43.07 ± 8.58 vs. 44.12 ± 9.32; p = 0.545) measurements of the LV were similar in patients with UC compared with controls. The correlation coefficient (r) between GLS and partial Mayo score was -0.578 (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that systolic cardiac deformation values are impaired in UC patients. Reduced GLS and GLSR might be an early indicator of cardiac involvement in this population.

Successful treatment of ulcerative colitis-related fulminant myocarditis using extracorporeal life support

Myocarditis is a known extraintestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel diseases, but it rarely leads to acute cardiac pump failure. We report a case of fulminant myocarditis associated with ulcerative colitis treated successfully with an extracorporeal membrane oxygenator.

Prolonged QT dispersion in inflammatory bowel disease

AIM: To investigate the frequency and factors of prolonged QT dispersion that may lead to severe ventricular arrhythmias in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

METHODS: This study included 63 ulcerative colitis (UC) and 41 Crohn’s disease (CD) patients. Forty-seven healthy patients were included as the control group. Heart rate was calculated using electrocardiography, corrected QT dispersion (QTcd) and the Bazett’s formula. Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) was used to determine insulin resistance (IR). HOMA values < 1 were considered normal and values > 2.5 indicated a high probability of IR.

RESULTS: Prolonged QTcd was found in 12.2% of UC patients, and in 14.5% of CD patients compared with the control group (P < 0.05). A significant difference was found between the insulin values (CD: 10.95 ± 6.10 vs 6.44 ± 3.28, P < 0.05; UC: 10.88 ± 7.19 vs 7.20 ± 4.54, P < 0.05) and HOMA (CD: 2.56 ± 1.43 vs 1.42 ± 0.75, P < 0.05; UC: 2.94 ± 1.88 vs 1.90 ± 1.09, P < 0.05) in UC and CD patients with and without prolonged QTcd. Disease behavior types were determined in CD patients with prolonged QTcd. Increased systolic arterial pressure (125 ± 13.81 vs 114.09 ± 8.73, P < 0.01) and age (48.67 ± 13.93 vs 39.57 ± 11.58, P < 0.05) in UC patients were significantly associated with prolonged QTcd.

CONCLUSION: Our data show that IBD patients have prolonged QTcd in relation to controls. The routine follow-up of IBD patients should include determination of HOMA, insulin values and electrocardiogram examination.

Pericardial tamponade in a patient with inactive ulcerative colitis

Cardiac tamponade is a rare extraintestinal manifestation of ulcerative colitis. We present a case report of tamponade occurring four years after curative proctocolectomy and in the absence of any medical therapy for ulcerative colitis. Options for medical management of this condition are also discussed.

Chronic pericarditis and pericardial tamponade associated with ulcerative colitis

Unlike other extraintestinal inflammatory manifestations of ulcerative colitis, cardiac involvement is infrequently reported and inadequately characterized, with only 9 previously reported cases of pericardial tamponade associated with inflammatory bowel disease. A 32 year old male with ulcerative colitis, treated with orally administered mesalamine for ten years, developed chronic pericarditis. Extensive clinical and laboratory evaluation failed to find any cause of the pericarditis other than the ulcerative colitis. Although the pericarditis remitted with indomethacin therapy, this medicine had to be discontinued because of a reactivation of ulcerative colitis attributed to this nosteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID). The pericarditis then responded well to high-dose corticosteroid therapy, but the patient represented with chest pain, dyspnea, tachypnea, and engorged neck veins after tapering the corticosteroid therapy. Angiography revealed near equalization of end diastolic pressures in both ventricles, a finding consistent with pericardial tamponade. The patient underwent subtotal pericardiectomy. Thoracotomy revealed a thickened pericardial wall and a large pericardial effusion. The patient's symptoms resolved postpericardiectomy. This case extends the clinical spectrum of pericarditis associated with ulcerative colitis, by describing a case of pericarditis that was chronic, refractory to maintenance medical therapy, caused pericardial tamponade, and was successfully treated by pericardiectomy.

Cardiac involvement in Crohn's disease: echocardiographic study

BACKGROUND

Crohn's Disease (CD) commonly presents extra-intestinal manifestations, but cardiac involvement is considered rare. The aim of the present study was to assess cardiac involvement in CD and its possible correlation with activity, duration, localization and therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A group of 68 patients with CD and a control group of 60 healthy subjects were subjected to a transthoracic echocardiogram with Doppler study.

RESULTS

The study found overall morphologic alterations in 47/68 CD patients (69.11%) versus 12/60 controls (20.0%; P < 0.01); mitral valve prolapse in 20/68 CD patients (29.4%) versus 4/60 controls (6.6%; P < 0.01); and pericardial effusion in 13/68 CD patients (19.1%)versus 1/60 controls (1.6%; P < 0.01). The following findings were frequent, but without statistical significance: mitral insufficiency, 9/68 CD (13.2%) versus 3/60 controls (5.0%); tricuspidalic insufficiency, 8/68 CD (11.7%) versus 3/60 controls (5%); aortic insufficiency, 3/68 CD (4.4%) versus none in the control group; and decreased left ventricle ejection fraction, 5/68 CD (7.3%) versus none in the control group. Pericardial effusion was found to be related to CD activity (r = 0.375; P = 0.002) as well as decreased ejection fraction (r = 0.358; P = 0.003). No correlation with age, sex, duration, therapy or localization of disease was found.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that CD frequently determines cardiac involvement, although it is usually subclinical. The alteration of cytokine network, especially the elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, could be implicated in the cardiac alterations because it was observed, as for raised oxidative stress, in other heart diseases.