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Coronary electron beam computed tomography in 13 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and two or more

Joan M Von Feldt1, Elana R Eisner, Amal Sawaires

  • 1Division of Rheumatology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.

Journal of Clinical Rheumatology : Practical Reports on Rheumatic & Musculoskeletal Diseases
|October 17, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients face high cardiovascular risks. Coronary electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) shows promise in detecting early atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in these individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Rheumatology
  • Cardiology
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events are a leading cause of death in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.
  • Traditional risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) do not reliably identify high-risk SLE patients.
  • Noninvasive imaging is needed to assess ASCVD risk in SLE.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the utility of coronary electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) in detecting premature ASCVD in SLE patients.
  • To explore the relationship between EBCT findings and traditional cardiovascular risk factors and antiphospholipid antibodies in SLE.

Main Methods:

  • A pilot study involving 13 SLE patients (ages 33-48) with at least two traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
  • Coronary EBCT was performed to quantify coronary artery calcification.
  • Calcium scores were compared to age-matched women without known coronary artery disease.

Main Results:

  • Five of 13 SLE patients had calcification scores in the 70th percentile or higher.
  • Three SLE patients had scores in the 90th percentile.
  • Four of the five patients with high scores had a history of antiphospholipid antibodies.

Conclusions:

  • EBCT may detect premature ASCVD in SLE patients.
  • EBCT could be a valuable noninvasive tool for managing ASCVD in SLE.
  • Further research is warranted to confirm these findings.

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