Abstract
Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is autoinflammatory disorder characterized by sporadic
attacks of fever, peritonitis, pleuritis, and arthritis. It is mainly seen in patients
from Mediterranean origins, but it is now reported more frequently in Europe and North
America due to immigration. To analyze the data on the cardiovascular manifestations
in FMF patients, we searched PubMed using the terms “Familial Mediterranean Fever”
or “FMF” in combination with other key words including “cardiovascular diseases” “pericardial
diseases” “atherosclerosis” “coronary artery diseases” “cardiomyopathy” “pulmonary
hypertension” or “valvular diseases.” suggested several mechanisms to explain the
cardiac involvements in FMF including the ongoing inflammation and the amyloid deposits
in the heart and vessels' walls at the advanced stages of FMF. The course of these
manifestations varies widely, but it can associate with poor prognosis in some cases
such as with pulmonary hypertension. Interestingly, Colchicine, which is the cornerstone
therapy of FMF, plays a vital role in treating and preventing some of these disorders.
In this article, In this article, we will discuss the incidence, pathophysiology,
and prognosis of the various cardiac manifestations affecting FMF patients.
Keywords
Atherosclerosis - cardiomyopathy - coronary artery disease - familial mediterranean
fever - pericarditis