Heart Function in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis Pre and Post-TNF Blocker

Prospective Evaluation of Heart Function by Echocardiographic Study, Pro-brain Natriuretic Peptide Type B and Troponin T in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis Pre and Post-TNF Blocker

The purpose of this study is to determine possible alterations in cardiac function in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis under anti-TNF therapy, without clinical heart disfunction at baseline, using highly sensitive non-invasive methods.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis eligible to receive TNF blockers
• Diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylitis eligible to receive TNF blockers

Exclusion Criteria:

• Clinical heart failure
• Chagas'disease
• Stable or unstable angina
• Past history of myocardial infarct
• Systemic árterial hypertension (grade 3)
• Valvulopathy
• Chronic kidney disease