[Cardiac and cardiopulmonary changes in systemic lupus erythematosus]

(SLE) One hundred patients suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were examined by clinical, non invasive cardiological, radiological and laboratory methods. Valve diseases were revealed by M-mode echocardiographic examination in 17 patients. 14 patients had various conduction disturbances. Out of the remaining 83 patients not having any valve disease, systolic dysfunction of the myocardium was detectable in 17 persons and pericardial effusion in 3 persons. Spirometric alterations have been found in 64 persons and cor pulmonale has been diagnosed in 8 persons.