Effects of ankylosing spondylitis on the heart

• Published in: Acta Cardiologica 2009-06, Vol.64 (3), p.385-392
• Main Authors: Gunes, Yilmaz, Tuncer, Mustafa, Guntekin, Unal, Sahin, Musa, Yazmalar, Levent
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Ankylosing spondylitis; Arrhythmias, Cardiac - diagnostic imaging; Arrhythmias, Cardiac - etiology; Bundle-Branch Block; C-Reactive Protein - analysis; Case-Control Studies; Diastole; diastolic function; Echocardiography; Electrocardiography; Electrocardiography, Ambulatory; Female; Heart Rate; heart rate variability; Humans; Male; P wave dispersion; Pilot Projects; QT dispersion; Spondylitis, Ankylosing - physiopathology; Time Factors; Ultrasonography, Doppler
• ISSN: 0001-5385; 0373-7934; 0001-5385
• DOI: 10.2143/AC.64.3.2038026

Background - Various cardiac pathologies have been linked to ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in various conflicting reports. Objectives - A pilot exploration is done to search frequencies of structural heart involvement, arrhythmias and heart rate variability (HRV) in AS patients. Methods - Thirty-five AS patients and 25 healthy people were evaluated with 12-lead electrocardiography, echocardiography and 24-hour Holter monitoring. Results - No patient had significant valvular heart disease except one.Ventricular and supraventricular premature beat counts were significantly higher in AS patients compared to the control group (P=0.002 and 0.01). Frequency of ventricular premature beats was significantly correlated with isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT) (r=0.291, P=0.025). Abnormal ECG was defined in 4 AS patients; 2 incomplete right bundle-branch block (RBBB), one left axis deviation and one complete RBBB and left anterior hemiblock. QT and P wave dispersions were not significantly different between AS patients and the control group. Although mitral inflow deceleration time (DT) and IVRT were significantly longer in AS patients (P