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Cardiac manifestations of rheumatic diseases
Elizabet Méndez Eirín1, Yago Suárez Ouréns2, José Luis Guerra Vázquez3
1Servicio de Cardiología, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de A Coruña, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), A Coruña, España.
Insights
Patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases face high cardiovascular risks due to chronic inflammation. Early detection of subclinical cardiac involvement is crucial for better management and prognosis in these individuals.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Cardiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Autoimmune rheumatic diseases cause systemic inflammation, increasing cardiovascular pathology risk.
- Cardiac structures like valves, myocardium, and coronary arteries are vulnerable in these patients.
- Cardiovascular complications are linked to poor prognosis, necessitating early detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review cardiovascular manifestations in patients with rheumatological disorders.
- To discuss available management and treatment strategies for cardiac involvement.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of cardiovascular manifestations in autoimmune rheumatic diseases.
- Analysis of clinical presentations and diagnostic approaches.
- Evaluation of current management strategies.
Main Results:
- Systemic autoimmune diseases affect all cardiac structures, leading to diverse clinical presentations.
- Subclinical cardiac involvement is common and associated with adverse outcomes.
- Early detection and intervention are key for improving patient prognosis.
Conclusions:
- Cardiovascular involvement is a significant concern in autoimmune rheumatic diseases.
- Comprehensive assessment and timely management are essential for mitigating cardiac risks.
- Further research into targeted therapies for cardiac complications is warranted.
Abstract:
Autoimmune rheumatic diseases are inflammatory disorders that can involve multiple organs, including the heart. The high risk of cardiovascular pathology in these patients is not only due to traditional cardiovascular risk factors, but also to chronic inflammation and autoimmunity. All cardiac structures may be affected during the course of systemic autoimmune diseases (valves, the conduction system, the myocardium, endocardium and pericardium, and coronary arteries), and the cardiac complications have a variety of clinical manifestations. As these are all associated with an unfavourable prognosis, it is essential to detect subclinical cardiac involvement in asymptomatic systemic autoimmune disease patients and begin adequate management and treatment early. In this review, we examine the multiple cardiovascular manifestations in patients with rheumatological disorders and available management strategies.
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