Related Experiment Videos
Cardiac involvement in systemic autoimmune diseases
Piersandro Riboldi1, Maria Gerosa, Cristina Luzzana
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Milan, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico, Via Ariosto 13, 20145, Milan, Italy. piersandro.riboldi@unimi.it
Insights
Systemic autoimmune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis frequently impact the heart and vascular system, causing significant illness and death. Research is ongoing to identify risk factors and develop preventive strategies for cardiovascular complications.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Systemic autoimmune diseases frequently affect the cardiovascular system.
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), and Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) are key examples.
- Cardiovascular involvement is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in these conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review classic cardiac abnormalities associated with systemic autoimmune diseases.
- To present recent data on cardiovascular involvement in SLE, RA, and SSc.
- To discuss the role of immune-mediated inflammation in accelerated atherosclerosis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of classic cardiac abnormalities.
- Analysis of recent data on cardiovascular manifestations.
- Discussion of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in autoimmune diseases.
Main Results:
- Cardiovascular complications, including ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular accidents, are significant threats.
- Accelerated atherosclerosis is linked to SLE and RA.
- Immune-mediated inflammation is a key factor in atherosclerosis development.
Conclusions:
- Cardiovascular disease is a critical complication of systemic autoimmune diseases.
- Further research is needed to identify specific risk factors and treatment regimens.
- Development of prophylactic measures is anticipated in the near future.
Abstract:
The heart and the vascular system are frequent and characteristic targets of several systemic autoimmune diseases, in particular Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). In this chapter we review the classic cardiac abnormalities and the more recent data about cardiovascular involvement as part of a major disease complication determining a substantial morbidity and mortality. In addition to the classic cardiac abnormalities involving the heart structures, acute and chronic ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular accidents are threatening clinical manifestations of SLE and RA associated to an early accelerated atherosclerosis. Immune-mediated inflammation is now recognized as an important factor involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Ongoing clinical studies are being devised to find specific risk factors associated with systemic autoimmune diseases and/or treatment regimens. Hopefully, prophylactic measures should be available within the next few years.