Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 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

Disease chronicity and activity predict subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction in patients with systemic

G W-K Yip1, Q Shang, L-S Tam

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, SH Ho Cardiovascular and Stroke Centre, Institute of Vascular Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR, PR China.

Heart (British Cardiac Society)
|February 26, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients often exhibit subclinical cardiac dysfunction, detectable by tissue Doppler echocardiography. Monitoring is recommended for patients with SLE duration over 10 years or increased arterial stiffness.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Rheumatology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with potential cardiac involvement.
  • Subclinical cardiac dysfunction can precede overt symptoms in SLE patients.
  • Early detection of cardiac issues in SLE is crucial for management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify predictive parameters for subclinical cardiac dysfunction in SLE patients.
  • To assess cardiac function using echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging in SLE.
  • To correlate cardiac dysfunction with disease characteristics in SLE.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving 82 female SLE patients and 82 matched healthy controls.
  • Standard echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging were performed on all participants.
  • Analysis focused on left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) long-axis function parameters.

Main Results:

  • 27% of SLE patients showed impaired LV long-axis function, and 42% had impaired RV long-axis function.
  • Impaired function was associated with older age, hypertension, longer disease duration (>10 years), higher SLEDAI, and SLICC scores.
  • Disease duration, disease activity, and arterial stiffness were significant predictors of LV dysfunction.

Conclusions:

  • Subclinical cardiac dysfunction, affecting both LV and RV, is prevalent in SLE patients.
  • Tissue Doppler echocardiography is valuable for monitoring cardiac function in SLE.
  • Patients with SLE >10 years, frequent flares, or arterial stiffening warrant regular cardiac monitoring.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

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 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...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies01:27

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies

Assessing and diagnosing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) involves a detailed approach that includes a comprehensive review of medical history, physical examination, and a variety of diagnostic tests. This thorough evaluation is essential to ensure an accurate diagnosis and guide effective management strategies.
Medical History
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,...
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology01:29

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology

Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...
Heart Failure III: Clinical Manifestations01:26

Heart Failure III: Clinical Manifestations

Heart failure (HF) manifests primarily as dyspnea, fatigue, and fluid retention, resulting in peripheral and pulmonary edema. Symptoms may vary depending on which ventricle is more affected, left or right.Left-Sided Heart FailureAlso known as left ventricular failure, this condition results from the left ventricle's inability to fill or eject sufficient blood into the systemic circulation. It leads to pulmonary congestion, which occurs when the left ventricle fails to eject blood effectively...