Myocardial Performance Index and Carotid Intima Thickness as Predictors of Early Left Ventricular Dysfunction in Psoriatic Arthritis Patients

Abstract

Background: Myocardial performance index (MPI) is an echocardiographic/Doppler index measure the ratio of isovolumic time intervals  to the ventricular ejection time. It is easy to determine, reproducible, neither affected by changes in heart rate, blood pressure, nor the  degree of mitral regurgitation.

Objective: To detect subclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) in individuals with psoriatic arthritis (PsA)  through using the following means; the carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) and MPI .

Patients and Methods: The Disease Activity  Index for Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA) score was used as the primary means of identification . We enrolled in our cross-sectional study 60  patients who met the inclusion criteria for PsA. In addition, we enrolled 30 participants as a control group (without PsA) who visited the  Cardiology Department for an elective echocardiography. All participants were subjected to DAPSA score, echocardiography and CIMT, as  well as DAPSA score calculation for patients ' group.

Results: PsA patients' group mean age was 40.30 ± 4.52 years with no statistical  significant difference from the control group. Their mean disease duration was 7.25 ± 3.5 years. According to the DAPSA score, all patients  were active, with 60% exhibiting low disease activity. CIMT and the following echo parameters; global longitudinal strain (GLS),  isovolumetric contraction time (IVCT), isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT), MPI, early ejection velocity (EE'), and ejection time (ET)  exhibited a significant positive correlation with DAPSA score, the disease duration, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) as well as C- reactive protein (CRP).

Conclusions: Early identification of subclinical cardiac affection in patients with PsA is imperative for optimizing   treatment outcomes. This necessitates the utilization of various modalities such as CIMT, MPI, and GLS.