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Updated: May 5, 2026

A Model of Disturbed Flow-Induced Atherosclerosis in Mouse Carotid Artery by Partial Ligation and a Simple Method of RNA Isolation from Carotid Endothelium
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Published on: June 23, 2010

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Premature coronary-artery atherosclerosis in systemic lupus erythematosus

Yu Asanuma1, Annette Oeser, Ayumi K Shintani

  • 1Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, USA.

The New England Journal of Medicine
|December 19, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Systemic lupus erythematosus patients show increased coronary artery atherosclerosis. Early detection of this condition is crucial for timely intervention in lupus patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Rheumatology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Premature coronary artery disease is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.
  • The prevalence, extent, and underlying causes of coronary artery atherosclerosis in SLE remain poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and extent of coronary artery atherosclerosis in patients with SLE.
  • To identify potential risk factors and clinical characteristics associated with atherosclerosis in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Electron-beam computed tomography (EBCT) was used to screen for coronary artery calcification in 65 SLE patients and 69 controls.
  • Agatston scoring measured calcification extent; risk factors and clinical data were compared between groups.

Main Results:

  • Coronary artery calcification was significantly more frequent in SLE patients (30.8%) compared to controls (8.7%) (P=0.002).
  • SLE patients exhibited higher triglyceride and homocysteine levels, but not altered cholesterol profiles.
  • Within the SLE group, older age and male sex were associated with coronary calcification, but disease activity was not.

Conclusions:

  • Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus have an elevated prevalence and earlier onset of coronary artery atherosclerosis.
  • These findings highlight the need for early atherosclerosis detection and intervention in SLE management.
Abstract

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