Heart disease characteristics in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by periods of activity and remission in which any organ can be affected. Cardiovascular involvement represents an important cause of mortality in SLE patients after infections. Indeed, valvular involvement in a patient with cutaneous lupus is considered the first sign of a systemic condition. These patients may have an isolated condition in the pericardium, myocardium, endocardium, valves and vascular bed or an overall involvement. Cardiac alterations may be present in more than 50% of patients at any stage of disease progression, especially in men, who have a higher risk of cardiovascular disorders. This paper is a review of the characteristics of cardiac involvement in SLE patients and its clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment.