Cardiac Imaging Phenotypes in Systemic Inflammatory Disorders and Perspectives: What Have We Learned and Where Do We...

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Cardiology
• Radiology

Background:

• Systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs) are chronic, multisystem disorders involving immune-mediated damage.
• Cardiovascular involvement is frequent in SARDs, a major cause of illness and death, often presenting subclinically.
• Early diagnosis of cardiac issues in SARDs is challenging due to masked symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review cardiac imaging phenotypes in major SARDs.
• To assess the role of various imaging modalities in diagnosing and monitoring SARDs cardiovascular manifestations.
• To identify knowledge gaps and future directions for advanced cardiac imaging in SARDs.

Main Methods:

• Pathophysiology-driven review of cardiac imaging in SARDs.
• Appraisal of echocardiography, cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), computed tomography (CT), and positron emission tomography (PET).
• Focus on imaging phenotypes associated with SARDs.

Main Results:

• Cardiac imaging is pivotal for detecting, characterizing, and monitoring SARDs cardiovascular disease.
• Echocardiography, CMR, CT, and PET offer distinct insights into SARDs-related cardiac pathology.
• Imaging findings correlate with disease pathophysiology and extent.

Conclusions:

• Cardiac imaging modalities are essential for managing cardiovascular involvement in SARDs.
• Advanced imaging techniques improve the early detection and monitoring of subclinical cardiac disease in SARDs.
• Further research is needed to integrate novel imaging technologies for comprehensive SARDs patient care.