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Published on: June 20, 2014
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.
Insights
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.
Abstract:
Systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs) are defined by the potential to affect multiple organ systems, and cardiac involvement is a prevalent but often overlooked sequela. Myocardial involvement in SARDs is medicated by macrovascular disease, microvascular dysfunction, and myocarditis. Systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and sarcoidosis are associated with the greatest risk of myocardial damage and heart failure, though myocardial involvement is also seen in other SARDs or their treatments. Management of myocardial involvement should be disease-specific. Further research is required to elucidate targetable mechanisms of myocardial involvement in SARDs.
Related Concept Videos
Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction
Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Myocarditis I: Introduction
Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Myocarditis III: Medical Management
Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

