Pos0929 Vascular Calcification in Takayasu Arteritis; Relationship With Metabolic Syndrome, Left Ventricular Mass Index and Intima-Media Thickness

Background: Vascular calcification is a commonly occurring entity in large vessel vasculitides and is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity/mortality [1]. Objectives: The present study aims to determine the frequency of vascular calcification in Takayasu arteritis (TA) and the risk factors for it and to evaluate its relation with atherosclerotic predictors such as left ventricular mass index (LMVI) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in patients with TA; metabolic syndrome (MS) was defined according to US National Cholesterol Education Program/Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP/ATP III) criteria [2]. Forty-nine patients diagnosed with TA (22 (44.9%) with MS, 27 (55.1%) without MS) and 31 healthy controls (HCs) underwent non-contrast computed tomography in order to measure calcification in the coronary artery, aorta, and its main branches. The left ventricular mass index was evaluated with echocardiography and intima-media thickness in the carotid artery and its branches with B-mode ultrasonography (US). Results: There was no significant difference between patients and HCs concerning sex, age, and body mass index (p>0.05). Forty-seven patients (95.9%) were female and mean age was 33.45±8.53 years. Total calcification score (mean±SD; 5223.9±18041.1 AU vs 35.87±72.70 AU (p=0.05)) and CIMT values (mean±SD; 1.00±0.54 mm vs 0.55±0.09 mm (p=0.05)) were found to be significantly higher in TA patients than HCs (p<0.05). While there was no significant difference between the total calcification score of MS (+) TA patients and MS (-) TA patients, in both patients groups, total calcification scores were found to be significantly higher than HCs (mean±SD; 9209.6±26094.0 AU vs 1851.3±3761.1 AU vs 35.87±72.69 AU; respectively, p=0.157, p>0.05). (Figure 1). MS (+) and MS (-) groups were found to have significantly higher CIMT values than the control group, whilst MS (+) patients were found to have significantly higher LVMI values than MS (-) group (117.68±33.13 g/m² vs 88.39±29.22 g/m², p=0.003). In the MS (+) TA group, a positive correlation was found between total calcification score, disease duration, and CIMT (r=0.634; p=0.002), (r=0.520; p=0.013), respectively. In regression analysis, the disease process was found to be an independent predictor of increased calcification. Conclusion: Vascular calcification, CIMT, and LVMI values are increased in all TA patients, regardless of the presence of MS (+) or MS (-). In addition to the treatment of the disease, antihypertensive, antilipidemic, and antidiabetic drugs used for comorbidities also slow the progression of vascular calcification. REFERENCES: [1] 1. Wang L, Sun Y, Dai X, Kong X, Ma L, Dai X, Ma L, Jiang L. Carotid Intima-media Thickness/Diameter Ratio and Peak Systolic Velocity as Risk Factors for Neurological Severe Ischemic Events in Takayasu Arteritis. J Rheumatol. 2022 May;49(5):482-488. doi: 10.3899/jrheum.211081. [2] Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults. Executive Summary of The Third Report of The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, And Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol In Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III). JAMA. 2001 May 16;285(19):2486-97. doi: 10.1001/jama.285.19.2486. Acknowledgements: NIL. Disclosure of Interests: None declared.