Preatherosclerotic vessel changes in sarcoidosis patients

Background:

Chronic systemic inflammation may accelerate development of atherosclerosis. Since sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease, the aim of our study was to prove if sarcoidosis patients may be at higher risk for pathological vessel changes.

Methods:

Carotid and peripheral arteries of sarcoidosis patients (n = 72) and matched controls (n = 15) were analyzed by ultrasonographic strain imaging in order to detect very early atherosclerotic vessel wall alternations.

Results:

Parameters of arterial elastic properties were significantly decreased in sarcoidosis (circumferential strain: 2.68 ± 0.19%, circumferential strain rate: 0.21 ± 0.01 1/s, radial displacement: 0.10 ± 0.01 mm) compared to the control individuals (3.77 ± 0.35%, 0.28 ± 0.02 1/s, 0.14 ± 0.02 mm, respectively). Interestingly, patients with advanced stages of pulmonary sarcoidosis with oral cortisone therapy were characterized by the most impaired strain values.

Conclusions:

Sarcoidosis is associated with an increased vascular stiffness.