Rheumatoid Arthritis Is Associated With Increased Aortic Pulse-Wave Velocity, Which Is Reduced by Anti–Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Therapy

Abstract

RA is associated with increased aortic stiffness, which correlates with current but not historical measures of inflammation, suggesting that increased aortic stiffness may be reversible. Indeed, anti-TNF-alpha therapy reduced aortic stiffness to a level comparable to that of healthy individuals. Therefore, effective control of inflammation may be of benefit in reducing cardiovascular risk in patients with RA.