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CardioNerds Cardio-Rheumatology Series Co-Chairs Dr. Rick Ferraro, Dr. Gurleen Kaur, and Episode Lead Dr. Ronaldo Correa discuss “The Role of Inflammation in Cardiovascular Disease” with Dr. Antonio Abbate.

Join the CardioNerds as they kick off the Cardio-Rheumatology series with Dr. Antonio Abbate. In this episode, Dr. Abbate, a leading expert in cardio-immunology, discusses the role of inflammation in cardiovascular disease. We explore the molecular mechanisms linking inflammation to atherosclerosis, the impact of chronic low-grade systemic inflammation on heart disease, and potential therapeutic targets. Dr. Abbate shares insights on how genes and lifestyle factors contribute to inflammation, the use of inflammatory markers in clinical practice, and emerging anti-inflammatory therapies in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Tune in for an enlightening conversation on the intersection of inflammation and cardiovascular health.

Dr. Ronaldo Correa drafted the notes. Episode audio was engineered by Dr. Amit Goyal.

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Pearls – Cardio-Rheumatology: The Role of Inflammation in Cardiovascular Disease

1. Inflammation is key in the pathogenesis and progression of atherosclerosis. Estimating systemic inflammation is part of a comprehensive preventive assessment (primary/secondary).
2. Patients with autoimmune inflammatory diseases are at a higher risk for cardiovascular events.
3. C-reactive protein (CRP) can estimate systemic inflammation and help assess residual inflammatory risk in patients with traditional intermediate/low cardiovascular disease, guiding management consideration with lipid-lowering therapy, aspirin, and colchicine.
4. The pharmacological management of atherosclerosis is evolving beyond primarily lipid-lowering therapies to focus on targeting the underlying residual inflammatory process. Colchicine (inflammasome blocker as an anti-mitotic drug) is approved for use in chronic stable CVD in selected cases, and interleukin pathway blockers, especially IL-1 and IL-6, are under clinical trial investigation.
5. First things first! Prioritize treating and optimizing traditional risk factors and comorbidities and emphasize lifestyle modifications to reduce cardiovascular disease (control diabetes and hypertension, reduce or cease smoking/alcohol, lose weight, and engage in regular physical activity). They all impact inflammation directly or indirectly

Show notes – Cardio-Rheumatology: The Role of Inflammation in Cardiovascular Disease

Notes: Notes drafted by Dr. Ronaldo Correa.

What is the link between inflammation and cardiovascular atherosclerosis?

• Inflammation is involved both in the pathogenesis and progression of atherosclerosis.
  • Histopathological coronary atherosclerosis studies have demonstrated the presence of inflammatory mediators as well as a central role of factors of innate immunity such as macrophages and T cells which can interact with vascular smooth muscle cells in the progression of atherosclerotic plaque.
  • Patients with autoimmune inflammatory conditions have earlier and higher cardiovascular event rates (accelerated atherosclerosis due to residual inflammatory risk).
  • Elevated inflammatory markers (for example, high CRP) predict cardiovascular events.

How should inflammation be considered in the context of residual cardiovascular risk?

• Inflammation may be the inciting factor in atherosclerosis, or it may amplify the process driven primarily by other risk factors. Therefore, treating the comorbidities and traditional CVD contributors is key to reducing the vicious inflammatory cycle.
  • Assessing residual risk using inflammatory markers can assist in management. C-reactive protein (CRP) can estimate systemic inflammation and help assess residual inflammatory risk in patients with traditional intermediate/low cardiovascular disease, guiding management consideration with lipid-targeting therapies, aspirin, and colchicine.
  • Optimizing traditional risk factors, emphasizing appropriate treatment for hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, weight loss, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), depression, underlying inflammatory conditions, and lifestyle modifications such as consuming a Mediterranean diet, alcohol/smoking reduction/cessation, and getting regular physical activity can help directly and indirectly reduce inflammatory contributors.

How does inflammation contribute to thrombosis, and what are the implications for cardiovascular disease?

• Inflammation increases the expression of procoagulant factors through the inflammasome pathway, including mediators like IL-6.
  • Proinflammatory changes in endothelial cells, leukocytes, and platelets promote thrombosis.
  • The concept of immunothrombosis has emerged, especially highlighted by conditions like COVID-19.
  • Inflammation-induced thrombosis has significant implications for cardiovascular disease.

What are the key inflammatory pathways involved in atherosclerosis, and what therapeutic targets have emerged?

• The inflammatory process is complex, and we still have much to learn about it. Three inflammatory therapeutic targets are highlighted: NLRP3 inflammasome, IL-1, and IL-6.
  • Colchicine is an NLRP3 inflammasome blocker that is FDA-approved as an add-on medication for secondary ischemic prevention in patients with stable CAD who remain at higher risk despite optimal medical therapy with aspirin and statin.
  • The CANTOS trial showed a significant reduction in MACE and hsCRP in post-MI patients who received canakinumab (IL-1 inhibitor) as an add-on therapy.
  • The ZEUS trial is investigating Ziltivekimab (an IL-6 inhibitor) for secondary ASCVD prevention. Rilonacept (an IL-1 inhibitor) is FDA-approved for recurrent pericarditis based on the RHAPSODY trial. Ongoing trials are further exploring inflammation-targeting therapies for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

References – Cardio-Rheumatology: The Role of Inflammation in Cardiovascular Disease

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Giles JT, Sattar N, Gabriel S, et al. Cardiovascular Safety of Tocilizumab Versus Etanercept in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2020;72(1):31-40. doi:10.1002/art.41095

Del Buono MG, Bonaventura A, Vecchié A, et al. Pathogenic pathways and therapeutic targets of inflammation in heart diseases: A focus on Interleukin-1. Eur J Clin Invest. 2024;54(2):e14110. doi:10.1111/eci.14110

Abbate A, Toldo S, Marchetti C, Kron J, Van Tassell BW, Dinarello CA. Interleukin-1 and the Inflammasome as Therapeutic Targets in Cardiovascular Disease. Circ Res. 2020;126(9):1260-1280. doi:10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.120.315937

Toldo S, Abbate A. The role of the NLRP3 inflammasome and pyroptosis in cardiovascular diseases. Nat Rev Cardiol. 2024;21(4):219-237. doi:10.1038/s41569-023-00946-3