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Noninvasive Assessment of Cardiac Abnormalities in Experimental Autoimmune Myocarditis by Magnetic Resonance Microscopy Imaging in the Mouse
Published on: June 20, 2014
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Myocardial Involvement in Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases
Alexia A Zagouras1, W H Wilson Tang2
1Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University, , EC-10 Cleveland Clinic, 9501 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
Rheumatic Diseases Clinics of North America
|November 24, 2022
Summary
Cardiac involvement is a common complication of systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs), often leading to heart failure. Management requires disease-specific strategies, with further research needed to identify new therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Cardiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs) can affect multiple organ systems.
- Cardiac involvement is a frequent yet underrecognized complication of SARDs.
- Myocardial damage contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality in SARDs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms of myocardial involvement in SARDs.
- To identify SARDs with the highest risk of cardiac damage.
- To discuss current management strategies and future research directions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on SARDs and cardiac involvement.
- Analysis of mechanisms including macrovascular disease, microvascular dysfunction, and myocarditis.
- Identification of specific SARDs associated with increased myocardial risk.
Main Results:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and sarcoidosis pose the greatest risk.
- Myocardial involvement can manifest as heart failure due to various pathological pathways.
- Treatment of myocardial involvement should be tailored to the specific SARD.
Conclusions:
- Cardiac sequelae are a significant concern in SARDs management.
- Understanding the specific mechanisms is crucial for effective treatment.
- Further investigation into targetable pathways for myocardial involvement in SARDs is warranted.
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