Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AKS), and scleroderma are immune mediated inflammatory diseases that manifest predominantly with symptoms and signs of musculoskeletal and mucocutaneous inflammation. However, they frequently cause cardiovascular disease, which is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, and the clinical detection of cardiovascular disease is significantly lower than that of cardiac imaging or post-mortem series. Therefore, an increased awareness and understanding of these diseases may lead to an increase in recognition, treatment, and prevention of the associated cardiovascular involvement. This article will review valvular and coronary heart diseases as the most clinically relevant conditions associated with systemic inflammatory diseases.
Valvular and coronary heart disease in systemic inflammatory diseases
By Carlos A Roldan
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AKS), and scleroderma are immune mediated inflammatory diseases that manifest predominantly with symptoms and signs of musculoskeletal and mucocutaneous inflammation. However, they frequently cause cardiovascular disease, which is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, and the clinical detection of cardiovascular disease is significantly lower than that of cardiac imaging or post-mortem series. Therefore, an increased awareness and understanding of these diseases may lead to an increase in recognition, treatment, and prevention of the associated cardiovascular involvement. This article will review valvular and coronary heart diseases as the most clinically relevant conditions associated with systemic inflammatory diseases.