| Popis: |
Atherosclerosis occurs earlier and progresses more rapidly in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory rheumatic disorders. Cardiovascular (CV) disease is the leading cause of death in this context, and the relative risk for CV events is strikingly high, especially among young women. This excessive risk is not fully explained by traditional CV risk factors, and the disease itself is of paramount relevance. Systemic inflammation enhances atherogenesis throughout the whole process. Circulating inflammatory cytokines foster early vascular dysfunction as well as subclinical structural lesions, plaque rupture and thrombosis. Several biomarkers of atherosclerosis have been identified in rheumatic diseases. With few exceptions, their applicability in clinical practice is still marginal. |
