October 2, 2025
View Full PaperAdvanced cardiovascular imaging in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases: redefining ischemic heart disease risk
Key Points
- Advanced cardiovascular imaging improves the detection of ischemic heart disease in patients with inflammatory diseases.
- Utilizing imaging techniques has shown significant promise in identifying subclinical atherosclerosis and myocardial inflammation.
- Current conventional risk assessments often overlook the increased IHD risk in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.
- Research emphasizes the necessity for further validation of imaging techniques to enhance personalized medical strategies.
Abstract
Purpose of review Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), psoriasis (PsO), and systemic sclerosis (SSc) are associated with significantly increased risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD), driven by chronic inflammation, and often compounded by undertreated traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Conventional risk scores frequently underestimate this burden. Recent findings Advanced cardiovascular imaging techniques, such as coronary CT angiography (CCTA), cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and nuclear imaging techniques, offer enhanced detection of subclinical atherosclerosis, myocardial inflammation, and coronary microvascular dysfunction. Summary This review highlights the role of imaging tools in improving risk stratification and guiding personalized care, while underscoring the need for ongoing research to validate their clinical utility and ensure equitable implementation.