Study of Cardiomyopathy and Myocarditis by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in a Cohort of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown cause that can affect virtually any organ of the body. Immunologic abnormalities, especially the production of a number of antinuclear antibodies (ANA), are a prominent feature of the disease. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) are common among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, leading to increased mortality and morbidity. However, it is not clear whether increased CVD mortality in SLE is due to a higher incidence or worse outcome of cardiovascular events. There are a number of possible cardiac manifestations of SLE, the most common forms being pericarditis, myocarditis, nonbacterial verrucous endocarditis, coronary artery disease, coronary arteritis, premature co