Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
04:44

Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease

Published on: June 16, 2020

Cardiac dysfunction in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid syndrome

Daphna Paran1, Dan Caspi, David Levartovsky

  • 1Department of Rheumatology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel. Parand@netvision.net.il

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
|November 3, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) can cause cardiac dysfunction. Echocardiography revealed impaired systolic function in SLE patients and diastolic dysfunction in APS patients, even without symptoms.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Rheumatology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) are autoimmune conditions that can affect cardiovascular health.
  • Cardiac involvement in these conditions, particularly in asymptomatic patients, requires thorough investigation.
  • Understanding the specific cardiac functional changes in SLE and APS is crucial for risk stratification and management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare systolic and diastolic cardiac function parameters in patients with SLE and APS.
  • To identify echocardiographic differences between SLE, SLE with antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), SLE with APS, and primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS).

Main Methods:

  • Seventy-four asymptomatic patients were categorized into four groups: SLE, SLE with aPL, SLE with APS, and PAPS.
  • Echocardiography, including pulsed, continuous, and color Doppler, along with M-mode and B-mode imaging, was performed on all participants.

Main Results:

  • Patients with SLE showed trends towards impaired systolic function (lower fractional shortening) and higher ventricular dimensions compared to PAPS patients.
  • Diastolic function was more compromised in APS patients, indicated by lower E:A ratios and prolonged isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT).
  • Patients with APS were significantly older than those without APS.

Conclusions:

  • Asymptomatic patients with SLE or PAPS frequently exhibit abnormal echocardiographic findings.
  • Left ventricular systolic function was more impaired in younger SLE patients compared to PAPS patients.
  • Diastolic function, assessed by IVRT and E:A ratios, was significantly more affected in patients with APS.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction01:23

Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction

Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:22

Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...
Rheumatic Heart Disease IV: Nursing Management01:20

Rheumatic Heart Disease IV: Nursing Management

AssessmentA comprehensive assessment is essential in managing a patient with rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Begin with obtaining a detailed medical history, including recent streptococcal infections, a history of rheumatic fever, or previously diagnosed rheumatic heart disease. Assess the patient for symptoms such as fever, chest pain, widespread joint pain (arthralgia), tachycardia, pericardial friction rub, muffled heart sounds, heart murmurs, peripheral edema, subcutaneous nodules, and...
Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a rare heart muscle disease characterized by impaired ventricular filling due to stiffened ventricular walls, leading to significant diastolic dysfunction.EtiologyRestrictive cardiomyopathy can arise from both inherited and acquired diseases, many of which are systemic. It is categorized into four main types: infiltrative, storage, non-infiltrative, and endomyocardial diseases.Infiltrative diseases, such as amyloidosis, lead to RCM by depositing amyloid...
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy01:30

Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...
Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation01:21

Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation

Clinical manifestationsPeripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) manifests through a range of symptoms, from the characteristic intermittent claudication to atypical presentations and severe complications in advanced stages. Intermittent claudication, a hallmark symptom of PAD, presents as exercise-induced muscle pain that typically resolves within minutes of rest. This pain is reproducible and stems from inadequate blood flow, leading to the accumulation of lactic acid produced during anaerobic...