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Noninvasive Assessment of Cardiac Abnormalities in Experimental Autoimmune Myocarditis by Magnetic Resonance Microscopy Imaging in the Mouse
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Published on: June 20, 2014

Clinical characteristics of lupus myocarditis in Korea

Jae-Wook Chung1, Dai-Yeol Joe, Han-Jung Park

  • 1Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea.

Rheumatology International
|July 20, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can cause rare but severe lupus myocarditis leading to heart dysfunction. Early immunosuppressive treatment, particularly high-dose corticosteroids, improves outcomes and prevents recurrence in most patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Rheumatology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease.
  • Clinically significant myocarditis is an uncommon manifestation of SLE.
  • Severe left ventricular dysfunction can occur in SLE patients.

Observation:

  • This study details five SLE patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction attributed to lupus myocarditis.
  • Patient demographics included four females with a mean age of 36.4 years.
  • Comorbidities such as lupus nephritis were present in three patients.
  • Immunological markers like anti-dsDNA antibodies and anticardiolipin antibodies were evaluated.

Findings:

  • Four patients received high-dose corticosteroids, one received intravenous pulse methylprednisolone, and another received intravenous immunoglobulin with pulse cyclophosphamide and corticosteroids.
  • Marked improvement in left ventricular function was observed in four patients.
  • No recurrence of lupus myocarditis was noted during a follow-up period of up to 33 months.
  • One patient did not improve and unfortunately expired from sudden cardiac arrest.

Implications:

  • Lupus myocarditis requires prompt immunosuppressive therapy, primarily high-dose corticosteroids.
  • Early and aggressive treatment is associated with favorable prognosis and reduced recurrence rates.
  • This highlights the importance of monitoring cardiac function in SLE patients.

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