Study highlights association of IBD with left ventricular, atrial dysfunction, arrhythmias & heart failure

Morphological and functional cardiac involvement is rarely described in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) but there is evidence that they have an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) events despite the lower prevalence of traditional CV risk factors.

The systematic review and meta-analysis examined the relationship between IBD and cardiac function, namely the incidence of heart failure (HF) and subclinical echocardiographic changes.

Results: The qualitative analysis comprised a total of 18 studies (14 retrospective and 4 prospective studies) involving 59,838 patients. IBD was associated with subtle systolic and diastolic alterations, vascular dysfunction, increased risk for HF hospitalizations, and globally worse CV outcomes. Nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. In the IBD population, we found statistically significant reduced early to late diastolic transmitral flow (E/A), higher E to early diastolic mitral annular tissue velocity (E/e'), and decreased global longitudinal strain. Increased left atrial diameter and area were also present in IBD patients but no statistical significance was reached. Inter-atrial and right intra-atrial conduction delays were observed.

The IBD population has an increased risk for left ventricular and atrial dysfunction, vascular changes, arrhythmias, and HF hospitalization. Screening with sensitive imaging like speckle tracking echocardiography could identify early subclinical changes. IBD is in fact a CV risk factor and tight inflammation control may reduce CV risk.

Reference:

Soares CA, Fiuza JG, Rodrigues CAM, Craveiro N, Gil Pereira J, Sousa PCRF, Martins DCP, Cancela EM, Ministro Dos Santos MP. Inflammatory bowel disease and cardiac function: a systematic review of literature with meta-analysis. Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2024 Dec 16;17:17562848241299534. doi: 10.1177/17562848241299534. PMID: 39691207; PMCID: PMC11650564.