(TEE) ASSESSMENT OF CARDIAC ABNORMALITIES IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE): CORRELATION WITH LEVEL OF ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID ANTIBODIES.

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by autoantibody formation and deposition of nnmune complexes in various organs, as kidney, brain,heart,liver,lungsjoints, muscles and skin, with an evolution that is punctuated by remission and recurrence. The heart is one of the principle organs that can be affected by SLE and develop serious complications that may threaten the patient's life. The aim of this work was to study the cardiac abnormalities in SLE patients using transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and correlate any abnormity with the levels of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) in the blood. The study was conducted on 24patients with SLE diagnosed according to the revised criteria of American Rheumatism Association for SLE . The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of aPLs in their blood. Group I was consisting of 11 SLE patients with positive aPLs IgG and IgM(the level in their blood was more than 10 )Jiml), while group II consisted of 13 SLE patients with negative aPLs IgG

and IgM(the level in their blood was less than 10 )Jiml).

The patients with chronic liver disease ,chronic end stage renal failure,hyperlipidearnia , and patients with any other disease that may affect the heart were excluded .

Full history was taken with emphasis on cardiovascular system manifestation (as dyspnea , anginal pain ,and palpitation),farnily history of SLE and drug therapy was done. A detailed physical examination was performed for all subjects with special stress on signs of cardiovascular system affection. All studied cases were subjected to the following investigations:­

[ -Routine laboratory investigations included:-

-Complete blood picture

-Erythrocyte sedimentation rate

-Complete urine analyses