Cardiovascular Involvement in Patients With Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis
Cardiovascular Involvement in Patients With Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is one of antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody
 (ANCA) - associated vasculitis. Inflammation-induced thrombosis is considered to be a feature
 of systemic autoimmune diseases. GPA usually involves the upper and lower respiratory tract
 and renal systems, where necrotizing glomerulonephritis and pulmonary capillaritis are often
 detected. However, it may also affect other organ systems. Cardiac involvement in GPA occurs
 in approximately 6% to 44% of cases and is secondary to necrotizing vasculitis with
 granulomatous infiltrates. Cardiac involvement is an independent predictor of mortality in
 GPA patients. In this prospective cohort study, consecutive GPA patients who were
 hospitalized in the Department of Family Medicine, Internal and Metabolic Diseases at the
 Medical University of Warsaw in Poland are included. In all patients echocardiography and
 laboratory tests are perform.
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's; GPA) is an antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody
 (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV), which also includes microscopic polyangiitis and
 eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss syndrome). GPA is characterized
 by granulomatous inflammation and necrotizing vasculitis predominantly affecting small- to
 medium-sized blood vessels and the presence of ANCA directed to specific antigens,
 particularly proteinase 3 (PR3-ANCA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO-ANCA). The destructive
 inflammatory processes of GPA have a predilection for the upper and lower airways and the
 kidneys, but any organs can be affected. An increased incidence of various cardiovascular
 events has been demonstrated among GPA patients. Cardiac involvement is also an independent
 predictor of mortality in GPA patients. In this prospective cohort study, consecutive GPA
 patients who are hospitalized in the Department of Family Medicine, Internal and Metabolic
 Diseases at the Medical University of Warsaw in Poland are included. All patients are
 diagnosed with GPA according to current guidelines. Patients are entered into the study at
 the time point when a new diagnosis of GPA was established and received initial treatment at
 our centre. Data collection included a full interim medical history, physical examination,
 laboratory studies and review of adverse events. Additionally, in all patients an
 echocardiography is performed.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Newly diagnosed Granulomatosis with polyangitis

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -