Assessment of cardiovascular findings in FMF related amyloid patients

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study is to compare cardiovascular findings in amyloidosis developed secondary to familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), with those of patient, and healthy control groups. Method: The study was performed on 32 secondary amyloid patients, 33 FMF patients and 65 healthy control individuals. Left ventricular functions were measured using two-dimensional, M-mode, conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiographic images. Aortic elasticity was analyzed using 2-D, M-mode echocardiographic images. Carotid-intima media thickness (CIMT) was measured using carotid artery B-mode ultrasonography. Results: Age, sex and serum lipids were comparable among groups (p>0.05). Aortic wall elasticity properties were similar between groups (p>0.05). Mitral annular E/A ratios were significantly lower in the amyloid group compared with controls ((p=0.004). CIMT was markedly higher in the amyloid group (p=0.001). In addition, CIMT values was higher in FMF patients than healthy controls (p=0.03). Ejection fraction and left ventricular mass index were similar among groups (p>0.05, for both). Conclusion: These findings suggested that subclinical myocardial involvement may be present in patients who developed amyloidosis secondary to FMF: It is noted that CIMT values were higher in patients with secondary amyloidosis. © 2018, Logos Medical Publishing. All rights reserved.