[Ten cases analysis of small vessel vasculitis with myocardial involvement]

This study was designed to investigate the clinical characteristics of systemic vasculitis with cardiac involvement.

Clinical information of 10 patients with systemic vasculitis complicated by myocardial vasculitis, selected from 181 small vessel vasculitis patients and 114 systemic vasculitis patients were analyzed.

The clinical manifestations were varied significantly dependent on the etiology of small vessel vasculitis. It is usually difficult to make the diagnosis because of the insidious onset, varied etiology and the undifferentiated manifestations of heart involvement. Echocardiography is commonly used in detecting and monitoring cardiac involvement. Glucocorticoid therapy can improve left ventricular systolic function dramatically when used properly.

The cardiac involvement of systemic vasculitis is quite rare. Dyspnea of various degrees and left ventricular systolic dysfunction are the most common clinical findings. The earlier the establishment of diagnosis and institution of appropriate treatment, the better the prognosis.