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[Echocardiographic heart assessment in systemic lupus erythematosus]
E Straburzyńska-Migaj1, P Leszczyński, I Piszczek
1I Kliniki Kardiologii Instytutu Kardiologii, Akademii Medycznej, Poznaniu.
Insights
Nearly half of patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) exhibit cardiac abnormalities, most commonly valvular issues. Echocardiography revealed no correlation between cardiac findings and SLE duration, age, or disease activity.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Rheumatology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with potential multi-organ involvement.
- Cardiac manifestations are a significant concern in SLE patients, impacting morbidity and mortality.
- Echocardiography is a key non-invasive tool for evaluating cardiac structure and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence and spectrum of cardiac abnormalities in patients diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).
- To assess the utility of two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography in identifying cardiac involvement in SLE.
- To investigate potential correlations between cardiac abnormalities and clinical parameters such as SLE duration, patient age, and disease activity.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study involving 41 patients meeting the 1982 American Rheumatism Association criteria for SLE.
- Utilized two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography to evaluate cardiac status.
- Collected data on patient demographics, SLE duration, and disease activity.
Main Results:
- Cardiac abnormalities were detected in 19 out of 41 SLE patients (46.3%).
- Valvular abnormalities were the most frequent finding (34.1%), with mitral valve involvement being most common (17.1%).
- Pericardial effusion was observed in 12.2% of patients; no correlation was found between cardiac abnormalities and SLE duration, age, or disease activity.
Conclusions:
- Cardiac abnormalities, particularly valvular issues, are prevalent in SLE patients.
- Echocardiography is effective in detecting a range of cardiac manifestations in SLE.
- Current findings suggest no direct link between the presence of cardiac abnormalities and the duration, age, or activity level of SLE.
Abstract:
A prospective two dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic studies were performed in 41 patients to assess the incidence and spectrum of cardiac abnormalities. All patients included in the study fulfilled the 1982 revised criteria of the American Rheumatism Association for classification of SLE. There were 37 women and 4 men with average age of 38 years. Average duration of SLE was 6.5 years (range 6 months to 20 years). Nineteen patients (46.3%) with SLE had cardiac abnormalities. Valvular abnormalities were found in 14 patients (34.1%). Mitral valve abnormalities were the most common findings-in 7 patients (17.1%). There were 6 patients with aortic (14.6%), and 3 patients with tricuspid valve abnormalities (7.3%). One patient had morphological echocardiographic pattern suggesting noninfective verrucous vegetations affecting the tricuspid valve. Pericardial effusion was identified in 5 patients (12.2%). We found no correlation between the prevalence of cardiac abnormalities and duration, age and disease activity in SLE patients.