RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
A1 Vinall, Maria
T1 Combination TNF-Inhibitor-MTX Therapy is Superior to MTX Monotherapy in Reducing the Risk of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
JF MD Conference Express
YR 2007
FD SAGE Publications
VO 7
IS 4
SP 15
OP 16
DO 10.1177/155989770700700411
UL http://mdc.sagepub.com/content/7/4/15.abstract
AB It is well known that patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have an increased risk of fatal and non-fatal acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Endothelial dysfunction is part of the RA disease process and is mediated by TNF-alpha [Hurlimann D et al. Circulation 2002]. Localized inflammatory responses in the intimal layer of the arterial wall have been shown to be responsible for many aspects of intimal thickening and plaque disruption, leading to acute cardiovascular events. TNF inhibitors may reduce the risk of AMI in RA patients because their strong anti-inflammatory effect improves endothelial function [Bacon PA et al. Int Rev Immunol 2002].